Abstract
p38 MAPK signalling upregulates inflammation and is known to be increased in COPD. This study investigated whether p38 inhibitors PF75 and PF32 suppressed release of inflammatory cytokines from macrophage-lineage cells.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were isolated from non-smokers (NS), smokers (S) and COPD patients. Cells were pre-treated with either p38 inhibitor or dexamethasone (DEX) prior to stimulation with LPS. Cell media was harvested at 24h and cytokine release (IL-6, CXCL8, IL-10 and TNF) measured by ELISA.
Both p38 inhibitors and DEX suppressed cytokine release in a concentration-dependent manner in PBMC and MDM. There were no differences between subject groups.
p38 inhibitors suppress release of inflammatory cytokines and may have a therapeutic role in COPD.
- © 2012 ERS