TNF and carcinoma: It has also been reported that TNFα can induce the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) in a variety of cell types, such as renal outer medulla cells, dorsal root ganglion cells, carcinoma cells, endometrial cells, and chondrocytes18–22, and that the induction of COX2 by TNFα plays a key role in VSMC proliferation23.