TNF and pulmonary fibrosis: hASC administration resulted in significant inhibition of BLM-induced lung fibrosis, reflected by a reduction in collagen deposition and downregulation of the mRNA of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), TGFβ1), leading to a drop in mRNA expression of factors responsible for ECM deposition and remodeling, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); Timp-1, -2, and -3; Mmp-2 and -3; CTGF; and Col1a1 and Col1a3 in lung tissue.