Differential Expression and Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase α, β, γ, and δ in Inflammatory Cell Lineages

Abstract Four p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38α, β, γ, δ) have been described. To understand the role of p38 family members in inflammation, we determined their relative expression in cells that participate in the inflammatory process. Expression was measured at the level of mRNA by reverse-transcriptase PCR and protein by Western blot analysis. p38α was the dominant form of p38 in monocytes; expression of p38δ was low and p38β was undetected. In macrophages, p38α and p38δ were abundant, but p38β was undetected. p38α and p38δ were also expressed by neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and endothelial cells. Again, p38β was not detected in neutrophils, although low amounts were present in CD4+ T cells. In contrast, p38β was abundant in endothelial cells. p38γ protein was not detected in any cell type, although p38γ mRNA was present in endothelial cells. Immunokinase assays showed a strong activation of p38α and a lesser activation of p38δ in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Abs specific for mono- and dual-phophorylated forms of p38 suggested that LPS induces dual phosphorylation of p38α, but primarily mono-phosphorylation of p38δ. IL-1β activated p38α and p38β in endothelial cells. However, p38α was the more activated form based on kinase assays and phosphorylation analysis. Expression and activation patterns of p38α in macrophages and endothelial cells suggest that p38α plays a major role in the inflammatory response. Additional studies will be needed to define the contribution of p38δ to macrophage, neutrophil, and T cell functions, and of p38β to signaling in endothelial cells and T cells.