All these results indicated that LPS-TLR4/TACE/TGF-α/EGFR/MAPKs represented a novel signal pathway by which LPS stimulates TNF-α production in cardiomyocytes and EGFR might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of endotoxemia or sepsis. The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is serum lipopolysaccharide activity.