The tumor necrosis factor gene family in pregnancy

Summary Even though many cytokines and growth factors first identified in the immune system are now known to participate in reproductive processes, investigators have been slow to recognize and evaluate the potential involvement of TNF family members. Yet recent studies illustrate the probability that several members of this family are important, particularly TNFα, LTα, CD30 and LTβ. The amn, gld and lpr mutant mouse strains, transgenic mice made deficient in TNF superfamily members and their receptors by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells as well cell lines developed from these mice should be extremely useful in learning how these potent, pleiotrophic cytokines contribute to successful pregnancy.