TNF and rheumatoid arthritis: Increased activation of FLS and immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages enhances the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, VEGF, CAM-1, VCAM-1, creating a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the synovial membrane in RA, which contributes to the cartilage tissue resorption and increased activation of neovascularization [179,180,181].