TNF and Sepsis: In rats given endotoxin and in mice given either TNF or endotoxin, a decreased expression of TFPI was found in several organs and in ECs.65,99 Moreover, Tang et al.100 found that lung-associated TFPI antigen and mRNA decreased during E. Coli-induced sepsis in baboons, and TFPI activity diminished abruptly as soon as at 2 hours after bacterial challenge.