Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blockade improves natural killer cell (NK) activation, hypertension, and mitochondrial oxidative stress in a preclinical rat model of preeclampsia
Mark Cunningham, Aswathi Jayaram, Evangeline Deer, Lorena M. Amaral, Venkata Ramana Vaka, Tarek Ibrahim, Denise C. Cornelius, Babbette LaMarca
Abstract
The RUPP rat model of Preeclampsia exhibits hypertension (MAP), cytolytic natural killer (cNK) cells, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (mt ROS). Objective: Does TNF-α blockade with ETAN (Etanercept) decrease cNK cell and mt ROS in RUPP rats. METHODS: On gestational day 14, RUPP surgery was performed, ETAN (0.4 mg/kg) was administered on day 18, MAP, blood and tissues collected on 19. RESULTS: MAP, cytolytic NK cells and mt ROS were elevated in RUPP vs. NP and normalized with ETAN. CONCLUSION: TNF-α blockade lowered blood pressure and improve inflammation and organ function in response to placental ischemia.