[Role of p38 in cyclic strain induced fibroblast orientation]

To assess the role of p38 in fibroblast orientation and to explore the cell signal transduction mechanism of cyclic strain induced cell orientation.

Fibroblasts were seeded onto collagen coated flexible membranes. Membranes were then deformed at 10 cycles per minute under 135 mmHg subatmospheric pressure. Orientation angles of cells treated with or without SB203580 were measured with inverted microscope. P38 phosporylation was analyzed with Western blot.

Eighty percent cyclic strain induced cells rotated from 60 degree to 90 degree perpendicular to stretch direction after 4 h strain exposure. P38 phosphorylation reached the peak at 5 min. Fibroblast orientation was inhibited after SB203580 treatment.

Fibroblast orientation in response to cyclic strain is mediated by p38 phosporylation.