The role of MAP kinases in trauma and ischemia-reperfusion.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been the focus of a number of studies, as these compounds are involved in a number of important inflammatory cell signaling mechanisms. Recent studies have further elucidated the role of MAPKs in the inflammatory response, as a result of trauma and/or ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. There are three major classes of MAPKs that may be involved in the inflammatory response: extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs)/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPKs (p38). This is clinically relevant, because these pathways may be a possible target for anti-inflammatory drug intervention. This review studies the role of MAPKs in trauma and/or I/R.