Systemic TNF-α antagonism and TNF-α-activated signal transduction pathways contribute to vascular dysfunction, atherosclerosis progression, and adverse cardiac remodeling.
This review highlights the pathophysiological role of TNF-α in cardiovascular diseases and evaluates the potential of systemic TNF-α antagonism as a therapeutic strategy.
Abstract: Signaling pathways induced by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) play a key role in the cellular responses to inflammation and injury. In the cardiovascular system, TNF-α -activated signal transduction pathways may contribute to vascular dysfunction, development and progression of atherosclerosis, and adverse cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction and heart failure. This review addresses the role of TNF-α in vascular physiology and disease. Furthermore, the therapeutic benefits of systemic TNF-α antagonism in cardiovascular and autoimmune inflammatory diseases are summarized and critically discussed. Keywords: TNF-α, vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis, shear stress, heart failure, TNF-α antagonists
Cicha et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular and autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Systemic TNF-α antagonism was evaluated. Systemic TNF-α antagonism and TNF-α-activated signal transduction pathways contribute to vascular dysfunction, atherosclerosis progression, and adverse cardiac remodeling.