Simulation study of the TNFα mediated NFκB signaling pathway

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in immunity and inflammation, in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. This paper presents a simulation study of the TNFα mediated NF-κB signaling pathway based on a systemtheoretic approach. Up to the present, there have been numerous approaches to analyze and model cellular dynamics. The most prominent one is utilizing nonlinear differential equations to establish a mathematical model based on reaction kinetics. This approach can provide us with mathematically wellfounded and tractable interpretations regarding pathways, especially those best described by enzyme reactions. This paper introduces not only an intuitive graphical model but also a quantitative mathematical model for the TNFα mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Throughout simulation study, we can qualitatively validate the developed mathematical model compared with experimental results along this pathway. Further investigations into the TNFα mediated NFκB signaling pathway are in progress to include an inhibitor kinase functioning in this pathway.