TNF-α-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis contributes to cardiac dysfunction after coronary microembolization in mini-pigs

This experimental study was designed to clarify the relationship between cardiomyocyte apoptosis and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) expression, and confirm the effect of TNF- on cardiac dysfunction after coronary microembolization (CME) in mini-pigs. Nineteen mini-pigs were divided into three groups: sham-operation group (n=5), CME group (n=7) and adalimumab pre-treatment group (n=7; TNF- antibody, 2mg/kg intracoronary injection before CME). Magnetic resonance imaging (3.0-T) was performed at baseline, 6th hour and 1week after procedure. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by cardiac-TUNEL staining, and caspase-3 and caspase-8 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, serum TNF-, IL-6 and troponin T were analysed, while myocardial expressions of TNF- and IL-6 were detected. Both TNF- expression (serum level and myocardial expression) and average number of apoptotic cardiomyocyte nuclei were significantly increased in CME group compared with the sham-operation group. Six hours after CME, left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was increased and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased in CME group. Pre-treatment with adalimumab not only significantly improved LVEF after CME (6th hour: 54.9 +/- 2.3% versus 50.4 +/- 3.9%, P=0.036; 1week: 56.7 +/- 4.2% versus 52.7 +/- 2.9%, P=0.041), but also suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8. Meanwhile, the average number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes nuclei was inversely correlated with LVEF (r=-0.535, P=0.022). TNF--induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is likely involved in cardiac dysfunction after CME. TNF- antibody therapy suppresses cardiomyocyte apoptosis and improves early cardiac function after CME.