Shock waves increase T-cell proliferation or IL-2 expression by activating p38 MAP kinase.

Shock waves were elicited by transient pressure disturbances, which could be used to treat musculoskeletal disorders. In present studies, we investigated whether the low-density shock waves (LDSWs), which are able to damage plasma membrane without impairing the vimentin or other organelles, might augment T-cell proliferation as well as IL-2 expression, and if mitogen activated protein kinase p38 (p38 MAPK) might be an underlying mechanism through which the LDSWs enhanced T-cell function. We found that the LDSWs increased activation of p38 MAPK in Jurkat T cells. The LDSWs alone didn't result in the T-cell proliferation and IL-2 expression. However, in combination with other stimuli, LDSWs could augment the T-cell proliferation and IL-2 expression. Inhibition of p38 MAPK using SB203580 reduced the stimulatory effects of the LDSWs, which indicated that the LDSWs enhanced IL-2 expression through a mechanism that involved p38 MAPK activation. We concluded that the p38 MAPK activation played a key role in the regulation of T cells function by the LDSWs.