title: Mechanisms of the joint-protective effects of p38 MAPK inhibitors in rodent arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The p38 kinases (p38) are proline-directed serine/threonine enzymes of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family. Although p38 participates in signaling cascades leading to joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the mechanisms of its actions in this process are not completely understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Elucidating the joint-protective mechanisms of p38 inhibitors in rodent models of RA may have implications in the design of p38-based therapies for this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review highlights the tissue- and cell-specific complex interactions between p38 and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review provides evidence that p38α and TNF-α are key partners in RA, and that inhibition of this kinase should be effective in treating this disease.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer, Inc., St. Louis Laboratories, Pfizer Global Research & Development, Department of Inflammation, 700 Chesterfield Parkway West, Mail Stop BB3N, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA +1 636 247 5361 ; gabriel.mbalaviele@pfizer.com.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mbalaviele
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Monahan