TNF-α antagonist is an exocyclic peptide that mimics the critical TNF-α recognition loop on TNF receptor I complex and, thus, prevents ligand interaction with the receptor. By blocking the TNF receptor ligand contact site, this peptide interferes with both activating receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) and TNF-α’s recruitment and activation of osteoclasts. TNF-α antagonist has been used to block bone resorption in the study of systemic bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bone destruction.
