What is the Difference Between TNF Alpha and Beta?

TNF-alpha and TNF-beta are two proteins that belong to the TNF family, which consists of various transmembrane proteins with TNF homology domains. Both proteins are cytokines that play crucial roles in the immune system, but they have distinct biological activities and properties.

The main differences between TNF-alpha and TNF-beta are:

1. Origin: TNF-alpha is mostly produced by activated macrophages, while TNF-beta is produced by activated lymphocytes.
2. Structure: TNF-alpha has a molecular weight of 17.3 kDa, while TNF-beta has a molecular weight of 25 kDa.
3. Cytotoxicity: TNF-beta is more cytotoxic than TNF-alpha. For example, TNF-beta is 3-fold more cytotoxic against murine L929 fibroblasts and 3-5 times more effective in inducing hemorrhagic tumor necrosis.
4. Receptor binding: TNF-beta is about 4-fold more effective than TNF-alpha in binding to target cells.
5. Biological activities: Although both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta have overlapping biological activities, they also have distinct effects on various cell types. For instance, TNF-beta is more effective in inducing IL-1 release from human endothelial cells.

In summary, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta are both members of the TNF family, but they differ in their origins, structures, cytotoxicities, receptor bindings, and biological activities.

Comparative Table: TNF Alpha vs Beta

TNF alpha and TNF beta are both proteins belonging to the TNF super family, which play vital roles in the immune system of humans. They show cytotoxicity and are involved in various cellular processes. Here is a table highlighting the differences between TNF alpha and beta:

While both TNF alpha and TNF beta are part of the immune system and share some commonalities, they differ in their cytotoxic effects and molecular weight. TNF alpha is less cytotoxic compared to TNF beta, which is more cytotoxic. Additionally, TNF alpha has a molecular weight of 17.3 kDa, while TNF beta has a molecular weight of 25 kDa.