TBK1 belongs to the non-canonical IκB kinases family, and it has the powerful competence to activate multiple signaling cascades, including the Akt (protein kinase B)-, MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase)-, NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B)-, IFN (interferons)- and TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-signaling pathways, regulating oncogenesis, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases6, 7. Here, TNF is linked to neurodegenerative disease.