TNF and Hypertension: In addition to altering complement activity, Cfb ablation reduced proinflammatory cytokines Ifn-γ, Il-6, and Tnfα whose elevated levels are associated with hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance.36,37 Further, chronic low-grade inflammation and overactivation of the innate immune system are now recognized causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus,4,5 with clinical trials for therapeutic targets against inflammatory pathways for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease currently underway.38