DNA enzyme targeting TNF-α mRNA improves hemodynamic performance in rats with postinfarction heart failure

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) probably affects the pathogenesis of heart failure. Here we have investigated the therapeutic potential of a nuclease-resistant DNA enzyme that specifically cleaves TNF-alpha mRNA. A phosphorothioate-modified DNA enzyme was designed to retain similar cleavage activity as its unmodified version, and that inhibited the expression of TNF-alpha in vitro. To test its efficacy in vivo, postinfarction congestive heart failure was induced in anesthetized rats by ligation of the left coronary artery. A 4-wk treatment with the DNA enzyme induced a substantial reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and lung weight concomitant with an increase in arterial blood pressure and myocardial blood flow compared with controls. The concentration of TNF-alpha in coronary sinus blood was markedly lowered on treatment, and myocardial TNF-alpha mRNA was substantially reduced. Recovery studies showed that the DNA enzyme cleavage activity was present within the myocardium throughout the observation period and had no apparent toxic effects. Our findings indicate that DNA enzyme-based therapy may hold promise in the treatment of this debilitating disease.