P38 mitogen activated protein kinase and chronic airway disease

Abstract

Bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are two major forms of chronic airway disease. As an intracellular signalling pathway, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediates gene expression and cytokine production, plays a key role in the proliferation, differentiation,apoptosis of inflammatory cells and involves in the airway inflammation in chronic airway disease. In vitro studies showed anti-inflammatory function of p38 MAPK inhibitor and animal model studies indicated that p38 MAPK inhibitor effectively inhibits airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and remodelling in the chronic airway disease model. In addition, the overactivity of p38 MAPK is associated with steroids insensitivity and p38 MAPK inhibitor improves the anti-inflammatory effect of steroids. Key words: p38 mitogen activated protein kinase; Chronic airway disease; Steroids insensitivity