P38 MAP-kinase pathway is involved in the production of CLC-3 in nasal epithelial cells with allergic rhinitis induced by interleukin-4.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of p38 MAP-kinase (MAPK) pathway on CLC-3 expression after interleukin-4 (IL-4) induction in primary cultured human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).


METHODS
Cultured HNECs from five patients with AR were treated with IL-4 (20 ng/mL) with or without SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK, at different concentrations and durations. CLC-3 was detected in HNECs by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 MAPK (pp38 MAPK) was examined by Western blotting.


RESULTS
After exposure to SB203580, CLC-3 expression induced by IL-4 was downregulated in HNECs in a concentration and time-dependent manner. This downregulation was associated with a decrease in pp38 MAPK.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirmed that IL-4 can induce CLC-3 production in HNECs with AR through a p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. Inhibitors of p38 MAPK may become an important strategy for the treatment of AR.
Han
Demin
D
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Zhou
Bing
B
Cheng
Lei
L
Oh
Yun
Y
Li
Huabin
H
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009666:Nose / Q000166:cytology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
D018118:Chloride Channels; C115376:ClC-3 channel; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C093642:SB 203580