Mechanisms of endotoxin-induced NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production in activated rat hepatic stellate cells: role of p38 MAPK.

Compelling experimental evidence indicates that the interactions between endotoxin and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Endotoxin-induced release of a multifunctional mediator NO (via inducible NO synthase) and the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 by HSCs could be an important mechanism of pathological changes in the liver. However, the signaling mechanisms of these effects are poorly understood. In this study, we found that endotoxin causes activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase [ERK] 1 and 2, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase [JNK]) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and production of H(2)O(2) in culture-activated HSCs. However, only p38 and NF-kappaB were found to be responsible for the synthesis of NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Exogenous H(2)O(2) caused modest stimulation of TNF-alpha synthesis, did not affect the synthesis of NO or IL-6, and did not activate NF-kappaB or MAPKs. Inhibition of p38 and NF-kappaB activation by SB203580 and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, respectively, blocked endotoxin-induced H(2)O(2), NO, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 synthesis. Inhibition of ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation did not alter these effects of endotoxin. Whereas SB203580 inhibited endotoxin-induced NF-kappaB activation, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate did not affect p38 phosphorylation in endotoxin-stimulated cells. In conclusion, endotoxin-induced synthesis of NO, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in HSCs is mediated by p38 and NF-kappaB, with involvement of H(2)O(2) in TNF-alpha production.