TNF and infection: The ERK1/2 pathway positively regulates autophagy.35 Activation of ERK1/2 has been reported to be responsible for the autophagosome membrane recruitment and formation during autophagy in HT-29 cells.36 Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with U0126 or PD98059 results in a decrease in TNF-induced autophagy in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.37 Furthermore, ERK1/2 phosphorylation is blocked by either EPEC38 or EHEC37,39 infection.