TNF and inflammatory response: In vitro studies demonstrated that Klotho suppresses TNF-α-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as the inhibition of eNOS phosphorylation induced by the administration of TNF-α [45], effects consistent with its previously postulated role in the modulation of endothelial inflammation.