TMPRSS2 and congestive heart failure: In parallel to these results, pulmonary TMPRSS2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in both compensated and decompensated CHF animals (0.38 ± 0.08; P < .01, 0.12 ± 0.03; P < .0001 vs 1.0 ± 0.07, respectively), where the decline was more profound in the latter subgroup (Figure 4C).