肝细胞癌中HIF-1α与PHD2的表达及临床意义

目的 研究HIF-1α和PHD2在肝细胞癌（HCC）组织中的表达,并分析其与临床病理特征间的相关性及临床意义.方法 应用免疫组化Envision法检测103例HCC组织、14例癌旁组织及13例正常肝组织中HIF-1α和PHD2的表达.结果在HCC、癌旁组织、正常组织中HIF-1α阳性表达率分别为63.1%、35.7%、0%,差异显著（P≤0.05）,其阳性表达与肿瘤大小、脉管瘤栓、分化程度、TNM分期均有显著差异 （P〈0.05）.PHD2在HCC组织中表达阳性率明显低于正常肝组织 （P≤0.05）.HCC中PHD2表达水平下调与肿瘤大小、分化程度、TNM分期的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.生存分析显示HIF-1α阳性组与阴性组2年生存率分别为53.8%（35/65）、81.6%（31/38）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.Cox多因素分析显示肿瘤大小、脉管瘤栓、HBsAg阳性及HIF-1α的表达是影响HCC的独立预后因素.HIF-1α和PHD2表达呈正相关（r=0.219,P〈0.05）.结论 HIF-1α和PHD2的异常表达与HCC的一些恶性进展临床病理特征相关,提示其可能参与肝癌的发生、发展、侵袭,有助于肿瘤的预后分析.     

ERK1/2和p-ERK1/2在肺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的研究细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（extracellular regulated kinase 1/2,ERK1/2）及其磷酸化状态（p-ERK1/2）在不同分化程度肺癌中的表达情况,探讨二者与肺癌侵袭、转移的关系。方法采用免疫组化（Envision）法,检测79例肺癌组织及l2例癌旁正常肺组织中ERK1/2和p-ERK1/2的表达。结果ERK1/2在高、中、低分化组表达率分别为13.6%,39.4%,66.7%,p-ERK1/2在高、中、低分化组表达率分别14.3%,27.3%,79.2%（P〈0.05）;无淋巴结转移者阳性率为20%,有淋巴结转移者阳性率为50.1%（P〈0.05）。ERK1/2和p-ERK1/2的表达在不同年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、肿瘤病理类型无显著性差异,而与分化程度有关,其中p-ERK1/2的表达还与有无淋巴结转移有关。结论ERK1/2和p-ERK1/2在肺癌组织中高表达且与分化程度有关。     

Bmi1在肝癌组织中的表达及其与细胞增殖和凋亡的关系

目的：探讨Bmi1在肝细胞肝癌（HCC）中的表达及与增殖和凋亡的关系。方法：收集HCC标本54例及相应的癌旁组织,10例正常肝组织标本,采用免疫组织化学EnVision二步法显示Bmi1的表达并结合增殖与凋亡特征进行分析。结果：在肝癌组织、癌旁组织细胞中Bmi1表达定位于胞核中,阳性表达率分别为79.6%（43/54）,31.2%（17/54）,10例正常肝组织未见表达,3组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.005）。HCC中Bmi1的高表达与年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、肿瘤数目、临床TNM分期、是否有肝硬化及是否有HBsAg感染无显著相关（P〉0.05）,但与组织学分级有关,高、中分化组Bmi1表达率显著高于低分化组（P〈0.05）。肝癌Bmi1阳性组增殖指数（PI）（50.3±21.4）%显著高于阴性表达组（17.3±7.1）%（P〈0.05）,凋亡指数（AI）无明显差异（P〉0.05）。结论：Bmi1在HCC中高表达,其表达增高可能与HCC的进展相关。     

抑癌基因p53 在肝癌组织中的异常表达及临床意义

目的:探讨抑癌基因p53在肝癌组织中表达及临床意义,为肝癌的治疗提供新的思路。方法:回顾性分析了2006年1月～2009年8月收治的40例肝癌患者的临床资料,采用免疫组织化学法测定肝癌组织、癌旁组织和正常组织中抑癌基因p53的表达,并分析不同肿瘤分化程度患者p53的表达。结果:p53阳性表达率在在肝癌组、癌旁组分别为47.5%和2.5%,在正常组未检测到p53阳性表达,三组之间比较有显著性差异(x2=6.515,P=0.024);高分化癌P53蛋白阳性表达率低,中低分化癌P53蛋白阳性表达率高,组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05),中、低分化组之间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:在肝癌组织中存在p53基因的高表达,其阳性表达与肿瘤分化程度有关。     

Caspase-3在肝癌组织中的表达及其与HBV感染的关系

目的探讨天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3,Caspase-3）和生存素（survivin）在原发性肝细胞肝癌（HCC）组织中的表达及其与乙肝病毒（HBV）感染的关系。方法用免疫组化SP法检测21例肝癌组织和10例癌旁组织Caspase-3和survivin的表达．并分析两者表达与HBV感染的关系。结果在肝癌和癌旁组织Caspase-3表达的阳性率分别为33．33％和66．67％（P〈0．05）．survivin在肝癌和癌旁组织表达的阳性率分别为85．71％和0（P〈0．01）。Caspase-3在HBsAg阳性和阴性组表达的阳性率分别为27．78％和66．67％（P〈0．05）;survivin在HBsAg阳性和阴性表达的阳性率分别为88．89％和100％（P〉0．05）。Caspase-3在高、中、低分化组表达的阳性率分别为66．67％、31．25％、33．33％．高分化组与中、低分化组比较差异有显著性（P〈O．05）;survivin在高、中、低分化组表达的阳性率分别为50％、87．5％、100％,高分化组与中、低分化组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。Caspase-3和survivin在HCC的表达呈显著负相关。结论HBV感染能使肝癌组织Caspase-3的表达降低,与survivin共同抑制肝细胞的凋亡,三者在HCC的发生及发展过程中起一定作用。     

在HBV感染的肝癌组织中Fas/FasL表达的作用

目的探讨Fas／FasL（Fas配体）在原发性肝细胞肝癌（HCC）组织中的表达及其与乙肝病毒（HBV）感染的关系。方法用免疫组化S-P法检测21例肝癌组织及其10例癌旁组织Fas／FasL的表达。结果在肝癌和癌旁组织中Fas表达的阳性率分别为52．38％和80．00％（P〈0．05）,FasL分别为66．67％和40．00％（P〈0．05）。在HBsAg阳性和阴性组Fas表达的阳性率分别为50．00％和66．67％（P〉0．05）;FasL分别为61．11％和100％（P〈0．05）。肝癌组织中Fas、FasL表达与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小无关,与癌栓转移呈负相关,FasL与分化程度有关。结论肝癌细胞能下调Fas及上调FasL的表达而使凋亡受阻,HBV感染能抑制肝癌组织FasL的表达,可能是HBV在HCC的发牛及发展讨稃中的致痛机制。     

Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, P53和Survivin在丙型肝炎病毒相关肝细胞肝癌中 临床病理意义

目的:研究cyclin D1,bcl-2,p53和survivin在丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)相关性肝细胞性肝癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)癌组织及癌旁组织中的表达,探讨其表达与丙型肝炎病毒相关性肝细胞性肝癌患者临床病理特征及生存预后之间的关系。方法:采用免疫组化检测方法检测cyclin D1,bcl-2,p53和survivin在丙型肝炎病毒相关性肝癌组织、癌旁组织和基本正常的肝组织中的表达,统计分析各因子的表达情况以及与患者临床病理特征的关系,并利用Kaplan-Meier分析法进一步分析各因子与患者生存预后之间的关系。结果:cyclin D1,bcl-2,p53和survivin在基本正常肝脏组织、癌旁组织和癌组织中的表达呈现递增的趋势,且cyclin D1,bcl-2,p53和survivin在癌组织的表达显著高于癌旁组织和基本正常的肝脏组织(P0.05);经统计学分析,cyclin D1,bcl-2和p53与肿瘤的分化程度相关(P0.05),而survivin与血管的浸润情况相关(P0.05);Kaplan-Meier分析显示,cyclin D1,p53和survivin与患者的不良预后有关(P0.05),而bcl-2与患者的不良预后无关(P0.05)。结论:cyclin D1,bcl-2,p53和survivin可能与丙型肝炎病毒相关性肝细胞性肝癌的发生存在一定的联系,除此之外,cyclin D1,p53和survivin与丙型肝炎病毒相关性肝细胞性肝癌患者的不良预后相关,而bcl-2与预后不存在显著相关性。     

上皮性卵巢肿瘤组织MKP-1及p-ERK1/2蛋白表达的研究

研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen activated protein kinase, MAPK） 相关蛋白丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶（mitogen activated protein kinase phosphatase-1, MKP-1）和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶（phosphorylation extracellular signal-regulated kinases, p-ERK1/2）曲在上皮性卵巢肿瘤组织及正常卵巢组织中的表达差异,并探讨其在卵巢癌发生、发展中的作用,为卵巢癌的治疗提供新的思路及实验依据。选取64例上皮性卵巢癌、35例卵巢上皮性交界瘤及32例卵巢上皮性良性肿瘤患者的组织,另选取26例正常卵巢组织作对照,进行MKP-1及p-ERK1/2的免疫组化分析,并同时对其中部分病例进行上述蛋白的Western—blot研究。结果显示正常卵巢、良性肿瘤、交界瘤及卵巢癌组织MKP—1的表达依次递减,各组之间进行两两比较均有显著性差异（P〈0．01）,FIGOⅢ期与Ⅳ期卵巢癌组织MKP-1的表达显著低于Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期卵巢癌组织（P〈0．01）;而p-ERK1/2在正常卵巢、良性肿瘤、交界瘤及卵巢癌组织的表达依次递增．各组之间进行两两比较也均有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。FIGOⅢ期与Ⅳ期卵巢癌组织P～ERK1/2的表达显著高于Ⅰ期与Ⅱ期卵巢癌组织（P〈0．01）。且免疫组化及western—blot均显示MKP-1与p—ERK1/2在卵巢癌组织中的表达存在显著的负相关性,（r=-0．90,P〈0．01及r=-0．78,P〈0．01）。本研究结果表明MKP-1与p—ERK1/2的异常表达可能跟上皮性卵巢肿瘤的发生、发展有关,它们之间的表达失衡可能是卵巢癌发生、发展的原因之一．     

MMP-2、MMP-9及P53的表达在肝移植后肿瘤复发与转移预测中的价值研究

目的：探讨MMP-2、MMP-9及P53的表达在预测肝癌行肝移植后肿瘤复发与转移中的价值。方法：选择肝癌行全肝移植患者85例,应用免疫组化方法检测其切除的肝癌组织中MMP-2、MMP-9及P53的表达,并对患者进行移植术后随访,观察术后肝癌复发与转移情况。分析MMP-2、MMP-9及P53的表达与移植后肝癌复发与转移之间的关系和意义。结果：肝癌组织中MMP-2、MMP-9及P53阳性表达率均明显高于癌旁组织（P〈0.01）。MMP-2表达与肝癌肿瘤直径、TNM分期、病理分级及门静脉癌栓显著相关性（P〈0.05）,MMP-9表达与肝癌肿瘤直径、TNM分期、门静脉癌栓及肿瘤包膜显著相关性（P〈0.05）,P53表达与肝癌肿瘤直径、门静脉癌栓及肿瘤包膜显著相关性（P〈0.05）。MMP-2、MMP-9在未复发和转移组中的表达明显低于复发和转移组（P〈0.05）,而P53在两组间的表达差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。肝癌组织中MMP-2、MMP-9高阳性表达均是预测肝癌患者肝移植后肿瘤复发和转移的独立预见因子,而P53未显示其具有预测意义。结论：MMP-2、MMP-9及P53在肝癌组织中呈高表达,MMP-2、MMP-9的表达水平可以有效预测肝癌患者肝移植后肿瘤复发和转移。     

MAPK和JAK—STAT途径中酪氨酸蛋白激酶在肝癌组织中的表达及意义

目的观察MAPK途径和JAK—STAT途径中重要酪氨酸蛋白激酶ERK、P38、C-Jun、JAK、STAT3、STAT5在肝癌组织中的表达及其相互关系,探讨蛋白激酶表达与肝癌患者临床病理特征之间的关系。方法收集原发性肝癌手术切除标本30例,制作组织芯片,酪氨酸蛋白激酶在不同组织中的表达检测采用免疫组化SP法。结果ERK、P38、C-Jun、JAK、STAT3、STAT5在肝癌组织中的表达平均光密度值显著高于肝硬化组（P〈0．01）。ERK与C-Jun、JAK、STAT3、STAT5在肝癌组织中的表达呈显著正相关,与P38呈显著负相关。JAK的过度表达与肝癌组织的分化程度有关,在低分化肝癌组织中表达率显著高于高中分化肝癌组织。结论MAPK和JAK—STAT通路的过度活化在肝癌发生发展过程中起重要作用,细胞信号转导系统失去正常的协调平衡可能是导致肿瘤发生的重要原因。     

MAPK signaling in the quadriceps of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Muscle atrophy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with reduced exercise tolerance, muscle strength, and survival. The molecular mechanisms leading to muscle atrophy in COPD remain elusive. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as p38 MAPK and ERK 1/2 can increase levels of MAFbx/Atrogin and MuRF1, which are specifically involved in muscle protein degradation and atrophy. Our aim was to investigate the level of activation of p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, and JNK in the quadriceps of patients with COPD. A biopsy of the quadriceps was obtained in 18 patients with COPD as well as in 9 healthy controls. We evaluated the phosphorylated as well as total protein levels of p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, and JNK as well as MAFbx/Atrogin and MuRF1 in these muscle samples. The corresponding mRNA expression was also assessed by RT-PCR. Ratios of phosphorylated to total level of p38 MAPK (P = 0.02) and ERK 1/2 (P = 0.01) were significantly elevated in patients with COPD compared with controls. Moreover, protein levels of MAFbx/Atrogin showed a tendency to be greater in patients with COPD (P = 0.08). mRNA expression of p38 MAPK (P = 0.03), ERK 1/2 (P = 0.02), and MAFbx/Atrogin (P = 0.04) were significantly elevated in patients with COPD. In addition, phosphorylated-to-total p38 MAPK ratio (Pearson's r = -0.45; P < 0.05) and phosphorylated-to-total ERK 1/2 ratio (Pearson's r = -0.47; P < 0.05) were negatively associated with the mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area. These data support the hypothesis that the MAPKs might play a role in the development of muscle atrophy in COPD.     

SPARCL1通过MEK/ERK信号通路调节非小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖、凋亡和侵袭

摘要 目的：分析富含半胱氨酸的酸性分泌蛋白类似蛋白1（SPARCL1）对非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）细胞增殖、凋亡、侵袭的影响,并探讨分裂原活化抑制剂（MEK）/细胞外调节蛋白激酶（ERK）通路在其中发挥的作用。方法：收集2019年9月~2021年6月期间本院接受手术治疗的84例NSCLC患者癌组织与相应癌旁组织,实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）法测定并比较各组织以及正常肺上皮细胞HBEpiC、NSCLC细胞A549、HCC827、H1299、H292中SPARCL1 信使RNA（mRNA）表达水平,选取A549、HCC827培养并分组,分为对照组、NC siRNA组、SPARCL1 siRNA组、U0126组（MEK/ERK特异性抑制剂）、SPARCL1 siRNA加U0126组,细胞计数法（CCK8）以及平板克隆法测定A549、HCC827细胞增殖,流式细胞仪测定A549、HCC827细胞凋亡,Transwell小室法测定A549、HCC827细胞侵袭能力,蛋白质印迹法（western blot）检测SPARCL1、p-MEK、MEK、p-ERK1/2、ERK1/2蛋白表达。结果：SPARCL1在NSCLC组织中mRNA表达水平低于癌旁组织（P＜0.05）;与HBEpiC细胞相比,NSCLC细胞A549、HCC827、H1299、H292细胞中SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平降低（P＜0.05）;与对照组相比,SPARCL1 siRNA组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率降低（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达升高（P＜0.05）,U0126组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率升高（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）;与SPARCL1 siRNA组相比,SPARCL1 siRNA加U0126组A549、HCC827细胞SPARCL1 mRNA表达水平与蛋白表达、凋亡率升高（P＜0.05）,OD₄₅₀、克隆形成数、侵袭细胞数、p-MEK/MEK、p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2蛋白表达降低（P＜0.05）。结论：SPARCL1可能通过调控MEK/ERK通路影响NSCLC A549、HCC827细胞增殖、侵袭与凋亡。     

Hepatoma‐derived growth factor promotes growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

We aimed to elucidate the effects of hepatoma‐derived growth factor (HDGF) on growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Tissue microarrays with 236 HCC specimens and 18 extrahepatic metastases were utilized to detect the HDGF expression by immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, HDGF expressions in HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials were examined using immunofluorescence staining, real‐time PCR and western blotting. After HDGF silencing, the growth and metastatic potentials of HCC cells were evaluated by soft agar assay, invasion assay, together with tumorigenicity assay in nude mice. The gelatin zymography was performed by detecting MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 levels. Additionally, western blotting was conducted to determine the levels of total and phosphorylated ERK1/2, JNK, p38 and Akt. The results showed that HDGF was overexpressed in HCC metastasis tumour, and the expression increased with the differentiation degree of tumours (Grade I 44.0%, Grade II 48.4% and Grade III 65.6%). Consistently, HDGF levels were positively associated with the metastatic capability of HCC cells (MHCC97L < MHCC97H < HCCLM3). The growth and metastasis were suppressed by HDGF‐siRNA. Gelatinolytic activities were enhanced in the three metastatic HCC cell lines, but had no significant difference among them. The tumourigenicity and metastatic capability of HCCLM3 cells in nude mice were inhibited after silencing HDGF. Meanwhile, HDGF‐siRNA specifically suppressed the total and phosphorylated protein levels of ERK1/2, while not JNK, p38 and Akt. In conclusion, HDGF was overexpressed in HCC patients and cells, and HDGF might be closely correlated with HCC metastasis via regulating ERK signalling pathway. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fatty acid binding protein-4 promotes alcohol-dependent hepatosteatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Fatty liver disease (hepatosteatosis) is a common early pathology in alcohol-dependent and obese patients. Fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) is normally expressed in adipocytes and macrophages and functions as a regulator of intracellular lipid movement/storage. This study sought to investigate hepatic FABP4 expression and function in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using chronic ethanol fed mouse models and patient samples FABP4 expression was analyzed. Human HCC cells, and HCC cells transfected to express CYP2E1, were exposed to ethanol and analyzed for FABP4 expression, or exposed to rhFABP4 (in the absence/presence of ERK, p38-MAPK or JNK1/2 inhibitors) and cell proliferation and migration measured. Hepatosteatotic-ALD mouse models exhibited increased hepatic FABP4 mRNA and protein levels, with FABP4 expression confirmed in hepatocytes. In HCC cells, CYP2E1-dependent ethanol metabolism induced FABP4 expression in vitro and exogenous rhFABP4 stimulated proliferation and migration, effects abrogated by ERK and JNK1/2 inhibition. Increased FABP4 was also detected in ALD/ALD-HCC patients, but not patients with viral hepatitis/HCC. Collectively these data demonstrate ethanol metabolism induces hepatic FABP4 expression and FABP4 promotes hepatoma cell proliferation/migration. These data suggest liver-derived FABP4 may be an important paracrine-endocrine factor during hepatic foci expansion and/or hepatoma progression in the underlying setting of ALD.     

Differentiation status-dependent regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production by epidermal growth factor via mitogen-activated protein kinase in articular chondrocytes

Although large amounts of epidermal growth factor (EGF) are found in the synovial fluids of arthritic cartilage, the role of EGF in arthritis is not clearly understood. This study investigated the effect of EGF on differentiation and on inflammatory responses such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in articular chondrocytes. EGF caused a loss of differentiated chondrocyte phenotype as demonstrated by inhibition of type II collagen expression and proteoglycan synthesis. EGF also induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production. EGF-induced dedifferentiation was caused by EGF receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) but not p38 kinase, whereas the activation of both ERK1/2 and p38 kinase was necessary for COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production. Neither the inhibition of COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production nor the addition of exogenous PGE(2) affected EGF-induced dedifferentiation. However, COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production were significantly enhanced in chondrocytes that were dedifferentiated by serial subculture, and EGF also potentiated COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production, although these cells were less sensitive to EGF. Dedifferentiation-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production were mediated by ERK1/2 and p38 kinase signaling. Our results indicate that EGF in articular chondrocytes stimulates COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production via ERK and p38 kinase signaling in association with differentiation status.     

Alterations in subcellular localization of p38 MAPK potentiates endothelin-stimulated COX-2 expression in glomerular mesangial cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide with mitogenic actions linked to activation of tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. ET-1 induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Activation of each of the three major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, ERK1/2, JNK/SAPK, and p38 MAPK (p38), have been shown to enhance the expression of COX-2. Negative regulation of MAPK may occur via a family of dual specificity phosphatases referred to as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKP). The goal of this work was to test the hypothesis that wild type MKP-1 regulates the expression of ET-1-induced COX-2 expression by inhibiting the activation of p38 in cultured glomerular mesangial cells (GMC). An adenovirus expressing both wild type and a catalytically inactive mutant of MKP-1 (MKP-1/CS) were constructed to study ET-1-regulated MAPK signaling and COX-2 expression in cultured GMC. ET-1 stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 alpha MAPK and induced the expression of COX-2. Expression of COX-2 was partially blocked by U0126, a MEK inhibitor, and SB 203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Adenoviral expression of MKP-1/CS augmented basal and ET-1-induced phosphorylation of p38 alpha MAPK with less pronounced effects on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Ectopic expression of wild type MKP-1 blocked the phosphorylation of p38 alpha MAPK by ET-1 but increased the phosphorylation of p38 gamma MAPK. Co-precipitation studies demonstrated association of MKP-1 with p38 alpha MAPK and ERK1/2. Immunofluorescent image analysis demonstrated trapping of phospho-p38 MAPK in the cytoplasm by MKP-1/CS/green fluorescent protein. ET-1-stimulated expression of COX-2 was increased in MKP-1/CS versus LacZ or green fluorescent protein-infected control cells. These results indicate that MKP-1 demonstrates a relative selectivity for p38 alpha MAPK versus p38 gamma MAPK in GMC and is likely to indirectly regulate the expression of COX-2.