TNF and Sepsis: Overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Interleukin (IL) -6, IL-8, and IL-1β, is believed to be the cause of what is being termed, “cytokine release syndrome” or “cytokine storm”, a phenomenon which is however not unique to this disease and has been noted in sepsis and sterile inflammation as well.