TNF and Nephropathy: Activated TLR4 and related ligands induce NF-κB activation, initiating the transcription of interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, and CD80 and CD86 genes and mediating the recognition and immune activation of various pathogens, resulting in kidney damage [17–19].