TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) also known as CD253 or TNFSF10, is a cytokine that is produced and secreted by most normal tissue cells. TRAIL binds to the death receptors DR4 (TRAIL-RI) and DR5 (TRAIL-RII). The process of apoptosis is caspase-8-dependent. Caspase-8 activates downstream effector caspases including procaspase-3, -6, and -7, leading to activation of specific kinases. TRAIL also binds the receptors DcR1 and DcR2, which do not contain a cytoplasmic domain (DcR1) or contain a truncated death domain (DcR2). DcR1 functions as a TRAIL-neutralizing decoy-receptor. The cytoplasmic domain of DcR2 is functional and activates NF-κB. In cells expressing DcR2, TRAIL binding therefore activates NF-κB, leading to transcription of genes known to antagonize the death signaling pathway and/or to promote inflammation.