Oxidant-induced priming of the macrophage involves activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase through an Src-dependent pathway

Background. Resuscitated hemorrhagic shock predisposes patients to the development of organ dysfunction, particularly to lung injury. Ischemia/reperfusion during shock is believed to prime the immune system for an exaggerated inflammatory response to a second delayed stimulus. We previously reported an in vitro model of oxidant-induced priming of the macrophage to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) involves the Src family of tyrosine kinases. Because the Src family has been shown to activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, we hypothesize that LPS signaling after oxidant stress involves the p38 pathway and is activated by Src kinases. Methods. The murine macrophage cell line, Raw 264.7, was first incubated with H2O2 100 μmol/L for 1 hour and then with low dose LPS 0.01 μg/mL for 5 to 45 minutes. In a separate experiment, the cells were pretreated with PP2 or SB203580, a specific inhibitor of the Src family and p38 respectively. The phosphorylation of p38, representative of its activation, was assessed in whole cell lysates by use of Western blotting. NF-κB translocation was detected by immunofluorescence with anti-p65 antibody. Results. There is a time dependent earlier activation of p38 by oxidant stress. H2O2 augmented the LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation. The Src inhibitor, PP2, prevented only the LPS-induced earlier phosphorylation after oxidant stress and had no effect on LPS activation of p38 alone. The p38 inhibitor had no effect in preventing NF-κB translocation in either the LPS- or H2O2/LPS-exposed cells. Conclusion. Oxidant stress generated during global ischemia/reperfusion activates p38 MAPK in an Src-dependent manner. Oxidants seem to alter the LPS-induced activation of p38. P38 does not seem to have a direct role in leading to oxidant-induced NF-κB translocation but may affect other oxidant-induced transcription factors. This altered pathway provides an alternative avenue to target therapy during the oxidant-induced priming of the macrophage induced by trauma resuscitation. (Surgery 2003;134:242-6.)