Background-We previously reported that tumor necrosis-factor-␣ (TNF-␣) can mimic classic ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Because TNF-␣ activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3), we hypothesized that TNF-␣-induced preconditioning requires phosphorylation of STAT-3 rather than involving the classic prosurvival kinases, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2, during early reperfusion. Methods and Results-Isolated, ischemic/reperfused rat hearts were preconditioned by either IPC or low-dose TNF-␣ (0.5 ng/mL). Western blot analysis confirmed that IPC phosphorylated Akt and Erk 1/2 after 5 minutes of reperfusion (Akt increased by 34Ϯ6% and Erk, by 105Ϯ28% versus control; PϽ0.01). Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt inhibition (wortmannin) or mitogen-activated protein kinase-Erk 1/2 kinase inhibition (PD-98059) during early reperfusion abolished the infarct-sparing effect of IPC. In contrast, TNF-␣ preconditioning did not phosphorylate these kinases (Akt increased by 7Ϯ7% and Erk, by 17Ϯ14% versus control; PϭNS). Neither wortmannin nor PD-98059 inhibited TNF-␣-mediated cardioprotection. However, TNF-␣ and IPC both phosphorylated STAT-3 and the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death (BAD) (STAT-3 increased by 58Ϯ17% with TNF-␣ or by 68Ϯ12% with IPC; BAD increased by 75Ϯ8% with TNF-␣ or by 205Ϯ20% with IPC; PϽ0.01 versus control), thereby activating the former and inactivating the latter. The STAT-3 inhibitor AG 490 abolished cardioprotection and BAD phosphorylation with both preconditioning stimuli. Conclusions-Activation of the classic prosurvival kinases (Akt and Erk 1/2) is not essential for TNF-␣-induced preconditioning in the early reperfusion phase. We show the existence of an alternative protective pathway that involves STAT-3 activation specifically at reperfusion in response to both TNF-␣ and classic IPC. This novel prosurvival pathway may have potential therapeutic significance. (Circulation. 2005;112:3911-3918.)