[Serum amyloid A promotes the inflammatory response via p38-MAPK/SR-BI pathway in THP-1 macrophages]

To investigate the effect and mechanism of serum amyloid A (SAA) on the expression of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophages, the human THP-1 cells were treated with SAA and p38-MAPK agonist (anisomycin) or p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). Then, the expressions of SR-BI, phosphorylated p38-MAPK and inflammatory factors (MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-1β) were examined by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting and ELISA, respectively. The results showed that, compared with control group, SAA increased the levels of inflammatory factors (MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-1β), down-regulated the expressions of SR-BI, and up-regulated the expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK protein in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in THP-1 cells (P < 0.05). After treatment with SAA and p38-MAPK agonist (anisomycin) in THP-1 cells, the expression of SR-BI was down-regulated, and the levels of inflammatory factors and phosphorylated p38-MAPK protein expression were increased, compared with the group only treated by SAA (P < 0.05). In contrast, the SR-BI expression was up-regulated, whereas inflammatory factors and phosphorylated p38-MAPK protein expressions were decreased after the cells were treated with SAA and p38-MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) (P < 0.05). The results suggest that SAA-promoted inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophages may be through the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and inhibition of SR-BI expression.