TNF and necrotizing enterocolitis: TNFα and IFNγ are key cytokines mediating innate and adaptive immune cell activity in the gut (Turner, 2009) during bacterial infection (Rhee et al., 2005; Emami et al., 2012) and in necrotizing enterocolitis (Tan et al., 1993; Ford et al., 1996, 1997; Halpern et al., 2003; Upperman et al., 2005).