The present invention provides for an immunogenic analogue of a human TNFalpha protein, wherein said analogue comprises an immunogenized monomeric TNFalpha polypeptide or TNFalpha di- or trimer, and wherein the analogue further comprises a toxicity reducing or abolishing mutation selected from the group consisting of Y87S, D143N or A145R, the amino acid numbering setting out from the N-terminal valine in human TNFalpha. The invention also provides for a nucleic acid fragment encoding the analogue as well as to vectors and transformed cells useful in the preparation of the analogue. Also disclosed are methods of down-regulating TNFalpha in a subject in need thereof.
