Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor alpha(hTNFalpha) are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNFalpha (e.g., Kd=10-8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNFalpha dissociation (e.g., Koff=10-3sec-1 or less) and neutralize hTNFalpha activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNFalpha and for inhibiting hTNFalpha activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNFalpha activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.
