Effect of p38 protein kinase on the activation of rat alveolar macrophages by lipopolysaccharide / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the role of p38 protein kinase in the activation of rat alveolar macrophages(AMs) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). METHODS: Nuclear protein was extracted, p38 protein kinase in nuclear extracts was analyzed by Western blot. The concentrations of TNF-? and IL-8 in supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The concentrations of TNF-?, IL-8 in supernatant and p38 protein kinase in nuclear extracts were increased significantly induced by LPS and blocked by SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 protein kinase. CONCLUSION: The inductoin of TNF-? and IL-8 in alveolar macrophages by LPS may be mediated through the activation of p38 protein kinase.