Deakin University
Browse

Anti-inflammatory effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor U0126 in an asthma mouse model

Download (604.72 kB)
Version 2 2024-06-03, 13:39
Version 1 2017-07-24, 09:26
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 13:39 authored by Wei DuanWei Duan, JHP Chan, CH Wong, BP Leung, WSF Wong
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade plays a pivotal role in the activation of inflammatory cells. Recent findings revealed that the activity of p42/44 MAPK (also known as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)) in the lungs was significantly higher in asthmatic mice than in normal controls. We hypothesized that inhibition of ERK activity may have anti-inflammatory effects in allergic asthma. BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA and, upon OVA aerosol challenge, developed airway eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, elevation in cytokine and chemokine levels, up-regulation of VCAM-1 expression, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Intraperitoneal administration of U0126, a specific MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor, significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited OVA-induced increases in total cell counts, eosinophil counts, and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin levels recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a dose-dependent manner. U0126 also substantially (p < 0.05) reduced the serum levels of total IgE and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1. Histological studies show that U0126 dramatically inhibited OVA-induced lung tissue eosinophilia, airway mucus production, and expression of VCAM-1 in lung tissues. In addition, U0126 significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed OVA-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis of whole lung lysates shows that U0126 markedly attenuated OVA-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Taken together, our findings implicate that inhibition of ERK signaling pathway may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic airway inflammation.

History

Journal

Journal of immunology

Volume

172

Pagination

7053-7059

Location

Rockville, Md.

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

0022-1767

eISSN

1550-6606

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2004, The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Issue

11

Publisher

American Association of Immunologists