TNF and congestive heart failure: Namely, dogs with decompensated CHF had significantly higher mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (IL1-β and IL-2), matrix metalloproteinase1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP3) and lower TNF-α, transforming growth factorβ3, TIMP1 and TIMP2 compared to healthy dogs [27].