TY - JOUR T1 - Expression of ERK2 and p38α kinases in pleural mesothelial cells after exposure to asbestos fibers JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p3543 AU - Lisete Teixeira AU - Milena Acencio AU - Roberta Sales AU - Francisco Vargas AU - Leila Antonangelo AU - Carlos Silva AU - Karina Pereira AU - Evaldo Marchi Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p3543.abstract N2 - Asbestos is known to stimulate gene expression in a variety of cell types via downstream intracellular signaling cascades. This mechanism includes the mitogen-activated protein kinases, which can lead to increased transcriptional activation of genes related to cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation.Objectives: To quantify and to compare the expression of ERK2 and p38α in pleural mesotelial cells (PMC) exposed to crocidolite or chrysotile fibers.Material and methods: C57/Bl6 mice received intrapleural injection of crocidolite or chrysotile fibers (3.0 ug/cm2) or PBS (control). After 1, 7, 14 and 30 days the animals were euthanized and PMC were extracted. ERK2 and p38α levels were measured by ELISA. Results are expressed in mean ± SD using t-test (p <0.05).Results: In the control group ERK2 and p38α levels were undetectable. Both crodidolite and chrysotile stimulated PMC to produce kinases, as shown in the table.View this table:Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that crocidolite produced higher levels of ERK2 and p38α than chrysotile, in a time-dependent fashion. More studies are needed to examine whether activation of this pathway is functionally linked to cell inflammation and cellular apoptosis induced by asbestos fibers and its role in the carcinogenesis of mesothelioma. ER -