TNF-α induces the release of high mobility group protein B1 through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in microglia / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the effect of p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) on TNF-α -induced high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) expression in microglial cells.
@*METHODS@#Microglial cells were treated with TNF-α (25 ng/mL, TNF-α group), TNF-α plus SB203580 (10 μmol/L, TNF-α+SB203580 group), SB203580 (SB203580 group) or serum-free medium (control group). After 16 h of incubation, the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and HMGB1, and mRNA levels of HMGB1 were examined by ELISA, Western Blot and RT-PCR, respectively.
@*RESULTS@#There was a significant increase in p-p38 MAPK and HMGB1 levels in TNF-α-treated microglia cells (P<0.01). The TNF-α-induced HMGB1 protein and mRNA expression was suppressed by SB203580.
@*CONCLUSION@#TNF-α up-regulates HMGB1 expression in microglial cells through activation of the p38 MAPK pathway.