ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the role of p38 MAPK pathway in IL-1β induced inflammatory secretory properties mesenchymal stem cells(SFMSCs) from human synovial fluid of temporomandibular joint. Methods: In vitro cultured hSFMSCs were divided into control group and IL-1β treated group(10 ng/ml IL-1β for 2 h), the activation of p38 MAPK was examined with western blot. Then, the gene expression and the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in control group, IL-1β treated group and p38 MAPK inhibitor pre-treated group(pretreatment with SB-203580 10 μmol/L prior to the addition of 10 ng/ml IL-1β) were examined by RT-PCR and cytometric bead array(CBA). Results: It was observed that the protein level of p-p38 MAPK, the secretion of IL-8 and IL-6 were increased in IL-1β treated group, and suppressed in p38 MAPK inhibitor pre-treated group. Conclusion: p38 MAPK pathway of SFMSCs might play a role in IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by SFMSCs in inflammatory environment.