TNF and Autoimmunity: Although much is known about the range of inflammatory stimuli capable of triggering an innate immune response, the mechanisms which govern the degree of inflammation induced by inflammatory insults and the mechanisms in place to reset or maintain homeostasis are poorly understood. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent early response pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by immune cells following a broad range of insults spanning autoimmunity and metabolic diseases to pathogenic infections.