Role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms in murine skin inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate

Acta Derm Venereol. 2011 May;91(3):271-8. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1046.

Abstract

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase plays a pivotal role in skin inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the various p38 isoforms. p38β/δ-knockout-C57BL/6 mice were generated, studied in a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin inflammation model and compared with wild-type mice. The inflammatory response was determined by ear thickness, myeloperoxidase activity and histology. mRNA and protein expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR and enzyme-linked immunoassay. In both groups application of TPA resulted in a significant increase in inflammation, and pretreatment with the p38α/β inhibitor, SB202190 resulted in a significant inhibition. A significantly slower onset but prolonged duration of the response was seen in p38β/δ knockout mice. This was paralleled by a significant, but transient, lower IL-1β and IL-6 protein expression in p38β/δ knockout mice. Although the p38α isoform is important, our data also demonstrate an important role of the p38β and/or δ isoforms in the regulation of TPA-induced skin inflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dermatitis / enzymology*
  • Dermatitis / etiology
  • Dermatitis / immunology
  • Dermatitis / pathology
  • Dermatitis / prevention & control
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / deficiency
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13 / deficiency
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13 / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 / metabolism*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / enzymology*
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • Isoenzymes
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 13
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 11
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
  • 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole