[P38MAPK pathway regulates COX-2 and caspase-3 expression in a mouse model of Parkinson disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) on the expression of COX-2 and caspase-3 in the substania nigra (SN) of mice with MPTP-induced Parkinson disease (PD).


METHODS
C57BL/CN mice were treated with MPTP to prepare a subacute PD model, and their behavioral changes following the treatment were observed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), COX-2 and phosphorylation of P38MAPK in the SN and their changes following treatment with SB203580, a specific inhibitor of P38MAPK.


RESULTS
The 7-day model group showed typical symptoms of PD with decrements of TH-positive neurons and TH protein level in the SN of the midbrain by about 65% and 75%, respectively (P<0.01). In the 3-day model group, the COX-2-, caspase-3- and phosphorylated P38MAPK-immunoreactive cells and their protein levels in the SN increased markedly with obvious loss of TH-positive neurons. Administration of SB203580 obviously lessened the above changes (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
P38MAPK regulates the inflammation and apoptosis in the SN of the mouse model of subacute PD, and SB203580 may provide some neuroprotective effect.
Wei
Zi-feng
ZF
Department of Anatomy, North China Coal Medical College, Tangshan 063000, China. weizifeng710418@163.com
Wang
Yong-sheng
YS
Ma
Li-ren
LR
Wang
Qian
Q
Zhang
Zuo-feng
ZF
Zhang
Yu-xin
YX
D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3