TNF and infection: Its secretion is upregulated by a series of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin-1β and angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor), suggesting that it plays a key role in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in various vascular disorders (angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, infections and neoplasms) [127,128,129].