ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of lung tissue apoptosis in LPS-induced mice ARDS via TNF-α neutralization. MethodsThirty-six mice were randomly divided into a control group,a LPS group,and TNF-α neutralization group.LPS(5 mg/kg) was intratracheally nebulized to induce ARDS in the LPS group and the TNF-α neutralization group.Twenty-four hours before LPS treatment,etanercept (0.4 mg/kg) was abdominal injected to the mice in the TNF-α neutralization group.Mice were sacrificed 2 hours after LPS treatment.PCR were used to detected the expression of NF-κB p65,Bax and Bcl-2 in lung tissue.Western blot were used to detected protein level of NF-κB p65,Erk1/2 and their phosphorylation and Bax,Bcl-2.The lung dry-to-wet ratio was measured.The lung histological changes were evaluated by HE staining. ResultsActivation level of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2 was elevated,the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax was decreased in the LPS group(P<0.05).After TNF-α neutralization,the activation level of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2 were reduced,the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax was increased (P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the lung dry-to-wet ratio and lung injury semi-quantitative score were significantly decreased in the TNF-α neutralization group (P<0.05). ConclusionTNF-α neutralization can suppress lung injury in LPS-induced ARDS mice by inhibiting activation of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2,increasing the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax ratio,and eventually reducing apoptosis.