Effect of ouabain on NFkB and p-38 activation in macrophages: a new biotechnological application

Background Inflammation is a response to external challenge or cellular injury that leads to the release of several inflammatory mediators and restoration of tissue structure and function. On the other hand, inflammation deregulation can cause tissue damage and is related to many diseases. During inflammation, a complex program of intracellular signal transduction and transcription events, driven by multiple pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, is activated. Ouabain, a potent inhibitor of the Na, K-ATPase, was identified as an endogenous substance of human plasma, able to affect various immunological processes, such as lymphocyte proliferation, apoptosis and monocyte function. These effects are particularly attractive for anti-inflamatory molecules bioprospection. We have also demonstrated the ability of ouabain to modulate inflammation, but little is known about the mechanisms involved.