Tumour necrosis factor alpha - mediator of apoptosis and cell proliferation of hepatocytes

In recent years, the intracellular pathways activated by the tumour necrosi s factor have been described in great detail. Adaptor molecules which bind to the intracellular domain of the tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 are ab le to either induce apoptosis or to activate signals which trigger cell pro liferation, anti-apoptotic mechanisms or the inflammatory response of hepat ocytes. In different animal model the tumour necrosis factor -dependent mec hanisms have been defined. Therefore, the present review deals with the mol ecular mechanisms of tumour necrosis factor dependent signalling. Additiona lly, the role of tumour necrosis factor during liver regeneration after par tial hepatectomy and models of tumour necrosis factor-dependent liver cell damage will be discussed.