p38 MAPK信号转导途径在关节软骨细胞中的激活和作用

The Activation and Function of p38 MAPK Signal Transduction Pathway in Articular Chondrocytes

p38信号转导途径是MAPK 途径的一种,软骨细胞是关节软骨中唯一的细胞成分。软骨细胞中的p38 MAPK可以被多种细胞因子、机械因素等所激活,它与软骨细胞表型的保持和分化、软骨细胞的肥大化和钙化、凋亡、软骨基质金属蛋白酶的合成、软骨炎性细胞因子的产生等有密切关系,可能在关节炎的发生发展中发挥了重要作用。

The p38 signalling transduction pathway, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway,in chondrocytes, is activated when exposed to a variety of stimuli including of cytokines and mechanical factor.Studies have revealed that activation of the p38 pathway is related to many physiological and pathological changesin chondrocytes, such as differentiation, hypertrophy, ossification, apoptosis, synthesis of proinflammatory cytokinesand matrix metalloproteinases. The p38 pathway may play an essential role in the development of arthritis.