Lymphotoxin alpha

Lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-α) formerly known as tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-β) is an immune signalling protein (a cytokine) that in humans is encoded by the LTA gene. LT-α is a mainly produced by activated lymphocytes, with particularly strong expression by certain T cell and B cell subsets. It exhibits anti-proliferative activity and causes the cellular destruction of tumor cell lines. As a cytotoxic protein, LT-α performs a variety of important roles in immune regulation depending on the form that it is secreted as. Unlike other members of the TNF superfamily, in soluble form LT-α is only found as a homotrimer. At the cell surface it is found only as a heterotrimer with the membrane-anchored protein LTβ.

LT-α has a significant impact on the maintenance of the immune system including the development of secondary lymphoid organs. Absence of LT-α leads to the disruption of gastrointestinal development, prevents Peyer's patch development, and results in a disorganized spleen.

As a signaling molecule, LT-α is involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. LT-α plays an important role in innate immune regulation and its presence has been shown to prevent tumor growth and destroy cancerous cell lines. In contrast, unregulated expression of LT-α can result in a constantly active signaling pathway, thus leading to uncontrolled cellular growth and creation of tumors. Hence depending on the context, LT-α may function to prevent growth of cancer cells or facilitate the development of tumors. Furthermore, LT-α effects depend on the type of organ it acts upon, type of cancer cells, cellular environment, gender, and time of effect during an immune response.