p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Mediates Sidestream Cigarette Smoke-Induced Endothelial Permeability

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates sidestream cigarette smoke-induced endothelial permeability.

Second-hand smoke is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. So far, little is known about the signaling mechanisms of second-hand smoke-induced vascular dysfunction. Endothelial junctions are fundamental structures important for maintaining endothelial barrier function. Our study showed that sidestream cigarette smoke (SCS), a major component of second-hand smoke, was able t...

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase determines the susceptibility to cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in mice

BACKGROUND There is a need for agents that suppress inflammation and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) has been associated with this disorder, and several inhibitors of this cascade are in clinical trials for its treatment, but their efficacy and utility are unknown. This study evaluated the relationship between p38 MAPK activa...

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase downregulates endothelial progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) improves neovascularization after ischemia, but patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or diabetes mellitus show a reduced number of EPCs and impaired functional activity. Therefore, we investigated the effects of risk factors, such as glucose and TNF-alpha, on the number of EPCs in vitro to elucidate the underlying mechanis...

Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells Mediates Cytoskeletal Remodeling in The p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates adenosine-induced alterations in myocardial glucose utilization via 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase.

Adenosine-induced acceleration of glycolysis in hearts stressed by transient ischemia is accompanied by suppression of glycogen synthesis and by increases in activity of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Because p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) may regulate glucose metabolism and may be activated downstream of AMPK, this study determined the effects of the p...