305
Views
11
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase accelerates emphysema in mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

, , , , , , , , , , , & show all
Pages 299-306 | Received 23 Nov 2013, Accepted 17 Feb 2014, Published online: 05 Mar 2014
 

Abstract

Context: There are few short-term mouse models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mimicking the human disease. In addition, p38 is recently recognized as a target for the treatment of COPD. However, the precise mechanism how p38 contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD is still unknown. Objective: We attempted to create a new mouse model for COPD by intra-tracheal administration of a mixture of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke solution (CSS), and investigated the importance of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) pathway in the pathogenesis of COPD. Methods: Mice were administered LPS + CSS once a day on days 0–4 and 7–11. Thereafter, CSS alone was administered to mice once a day on days 14–18. On day 28, histopathological changes of the lung were evaluated, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was subjected to western blot array for cytokines. Transgenic (TG) mice expressing a constitutive-active form of MKK6, a p38-specific activator in the lung, were subjected to our experimental protocol of COPD model. Results: LPS + CSS administration induced enlargement of alveolar air spaces and destruction of lung parenchyma. BALF analyses of the LPS + CSS group revealed an increase in expression levels of several cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of human COPD. These results suggest that our experimental protocol can induce COPD in mice. Likewise, histopathological findings of the lung and induction of cytokines in BALF from MKK6 c.a.-TG mice were more marked than those in WT mice. Conclusion: In a new experimental COPD mouse model, p38 accelerates the development of emphysema.

Acknowledgements

The human SPC/SV40 vector was kindly provided by Dr. Jeffrey A. Whitsett (Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio). We thank Dr. Wendy Gray for editing our manuscript.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.