Inhibition of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase improves lung injury

Hui Su Lee, Hee Jae Kim, Chang Sook Moon, Young Hae Chong, Jihee Lee Kang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Although in vitro studies have determined that the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is crucial to the activation of transcription factors and regulation of the production of proinflammatory mediators, the roles of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in acute lung injury have not been elucidated. Methods: Saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 6 mg/kg of body weight) was administered intratracheally with a 1-hour pretreatment with SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor; 30 mg/kg, IO), or PD98059 (an MEK/ERK inhibitor; 30 mg/kg, IO). Rats were sacrificed 4 hours after LPS treatment. Results: SP600125 or PD98059 inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK and ERK, total protein and LDH activity in BAL fluid, and neutrophil influx into the lungs. In addition, these MAP kinase inhibitors substantially reduced LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators, such as CINC, MMP-9, and nitric oxide. Inhibition of JNK correlated with suppression of NF-κB activation through downregulation of phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, while ERK inhibition only slightly influenced the NF-κB pathway. Conclusion: JNK and ERK play pivotal roles in LPS-induced acute lung injury. Therefore, inhibition of JNK or ERK activity has potential as an effective therapeutic strategy in interventions of inflammatory cascade-associated lung injury.

Original languageEnglish
JournalRespiratory Research
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 Nov 2004

Keywords

  • Acute lung injury
  • ERK
  • JNK
  • LPS
  • NF-κB

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