[Regulation of inflammatory responses by MAPK signal transduction pathways]

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is one of the important signal transduction systems in organisms, is involved in many cellular processes, such as cell growth, development, division, differentiation, death and coordination of cellular functions, and etc. Four subfamilies of MAP kinases, i e ERK, JNK/SAPK, p38/RK and ERK5/BMK1, have been identified and cloned in mammalian cells These MAP kinases are activated by many proinflammatory stimuli and play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of inflammation. In this article recent advances in the study of the mechanisms underlying activation of MAPKs in infection and inflammation and the molecular basis of specific inhibitors for MAPKs are reviewed, in special reference with the perspective prevention and treatment of inflammation by these kinases.