TNF and asthma: In Tian et al. case-control study 100 children with asthma attacks were found to have lower levels of miR-1 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and higher levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in the peripheral blood, with wider changes observed in those with severe asthma.