Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is critical and non-redundant to control Mycobacterium
tuberculosis infection and cannot be replaced by other proinflammatory cytokines.
Overproduction of TNF may cause immunopathology, while TNF neutralization reactivates
latent and chronic, controlled infection, which is relevant for the use of neutralizing TNF
therapies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.