RDS is characterized by intense inflammation along with the influx of neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages within the alveoli and their released cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Here, TNF is linked to newborn respiratory distress syndrome.