p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, but not Akt, were involved in PQ-induced ROS generation and reduced neutrophil apoptosis.

Abstract

<p>(A, B) p-p38 MAPK and p-Mcl-1 production were predominantly induced by PQ and suppressed by DPI co-treatment. The specific p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 blocked both p-p38MAPK and p-Mcl-1 productions, whereas SC200137 suppressed p-Mcl-1 but not p-p38MAPK. (C) The Akt pathway was not affected by PQ. (D, E) Both p-IκBα and p-P65 were activated by PQ pretreatment and decreased by DPI. (F) PQ-mediated reduction in neutrophil apoptosis could be rescued by SB203580, SC200137, and PDTC but not SC221226, which indicated that p38MAPK, Mcl-1, and NF-κB pathways were involved in the PQ-regulated decrease in neutrophil apoptosis. *<i>P</i><0.05.</p