Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)α is a cytokine involved in various biological processes. TNFα is mainly produced by monocytes, macrophages, and thymus-dependent lymphocytes. TNFα can be classified into two groups, namely, the soluble type and membrane type. TNFα can cause a series of cytokine changes via binding to its receptor TNFR, thereby resulting in accelerated cell growth or programmed death. It can promote the development of periodontitis, peri-implantitis, segmental enteritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. TNFα inhibitors can be classified as either macromolecule type or small active molecule type. Various TNFα inhibitors exist and have complex mechanisms. TNFα inhibitors are widely used in clinical applications and demonstrate excellent effects. The pre-ligand binding assembly domain of TNFR1 is a new type of TNFα inhibitor tha thas great potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases involving TNFα. Thus, TNFα-induced programmed cell death and joint osteoclast activity can be inhibited.
