TNF and atherosclerosis: It also stimulates the increased synthesis of cytokines and other pro-inflammatory molecules such as fibrinogen, CRP, ICAM-1 (inter-cellular adhesion molecule–1, a transmembrane protein involved in cell to cell adhesion and leukocyte migration), E-selectin (a protein involved in leukocyte recruitment during inflammation), TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-17, which are involved in the development and progression of both RA and atherosclerosis [9].