Scientific Diagram of TNF Receptor Mechanism

This scientific diagram outlines how Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) activity is blocked at a cellular level. It shows TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, attempting to bind to its specific receptors on a cell membrane. However, the diagram visually explains that therapeutic antibodies, depicted as blue Y-shaped structures, or other inhibitory molecules effectively bind to TNF-α in the extracellular space. This binding neutralizes TNF-α, preventing it from interacting with the cell surface receptors and initiating inflammatory responses, as clearly indicated by the red 'X' mark. Such a mechanism is fundamental to treatments for various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

tnf alpha - cytokine - receptor - antibody - inhibition - inflammation - cell signaling - immunology - drug mechanism