title: Inhibition of p38 MAPK reduces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in allergic airway disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) appears to play an important role in various pathophysiological responses and has been suggested to be involved in many processes considered critical to the inflammatory response and tissue remodeling. Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway accompanied by increased vascular permeability. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of bronchial inflammation, airway remodeling, and physiologic dysregulation that augments antigen sensitization and T-helper type 2 cell (Th2)-mediated inflammation in allergic airway diseases. However, there are little data on the relationship between p38 MAPK signaling and VEGF expression in allergic airway disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the role of p38 MAPK on the pathogenesis of allergic airway disease, more specifically in VEGF expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using ovalbumin (OVA)-inhaled mice and a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB 239063, the involvement of p38 MAPK in allergen-induced VEGF expression in the airway was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The increases of phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, VEGF protein expression, and vascular permeability in the lung after OVA inhalation were decreased substantially by the administration of SB 239063. In addition, SB 239063 significantly reduced the increase of Th2 cytokines and OVA-specific IgE. The inhibition of p38 MAPK or VEGF signaling prevented and also decreased the increases in the number of inflammatory cells and airway hyperresponsiveness in OVA-induced allergic airway disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that inhibition of p38 MAPK may attenuate allergen-induced airway inflammation and vascular leakage through modulation of VEGF expression in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Research Center for Pulmonary Disorders, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, South Korea.
authors.forename: So Ri
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung Sun
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seoung Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Myung Shin
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Yong Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D007093:Imidazoles; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C478485:cyclo-VEGI; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C406525:SB 239063