title: SB203580, a P38 MAPK Inhibitor, Blocks in vitro Invasion by Human Gastric SNU-638 Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in gastric cancer invasion has not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effects of SB203580, a specific P38 MAPK inhibitor, on the in vitro invasion of gastric cancer and upon the molecules involved in this process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human gastric cancer SNU-638 cells were maintained in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS. BIOCOAT matrigel invasion chambers were used to examine in vitro invasiveness, zymography for gelatinase activity, CAT assay for uPA promoter activity and Western and Northern blotting to determine protein and mRNA levels, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of SNU-638 cells with SB203580, a specific P38 MAPK inhibitor, reduced in vitro invasiveness, dose-dependently. SB203580 treatment was found to decrease both mRNA expression and uPA promoter activity in gastric SNU-638 cells. In vitro invasion of SNU-638 cells was partially abrogated by uPA-neutralizing antibodies. The activities of MMPs were not significantly altered by SB203580.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that P38 MAPK is a potential therapeutic target for inhibiting uPA-dependent gastric tumor invasiveness and metastasis.
authors.forename: Ju Chae
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyeon Gyeung
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Hong Su
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Mi Ha
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Kee Oh
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Chay
authors.forename: Boo Ahn
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Bong Whan
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Young Do
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Jung
keywords: Invasion; P38 milogen-activated protein kinase; Stomach neoplasm; Urokinase-type plasminigen activator