Role of p38MAPK in mediating TNF-α-induced apoptosis in rat glioma cells

Purpose:To study the role of p38MAPK in mediating TNF α induced apoptosis in rat glioma cells C6.Methods:The proliferation activity of C6 cells after the treatment by TNF α was observed by MTT assay. The TNF α induced apoptosis was detected by transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression of p38MAPK was detected by SABC method and Westernblot. The effect of SB202190, a specific inhibitor of p38MAPK on TNF α induced apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry and SABC method. Results:The inhibitory rate of TNF α (2×10 5 U/L) on C6 cells was 43.75%. In the TNF α treated group, apoptotic cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy and the apoptotic rate was 37.5% by flow cytometry, p38MAPK positive signals were found by SABC method and Westernblot. In the SB202190 treated group, the apoptotic rate was 7.0% and no p38MAPK signals were found.Conclusions:The apoptosis of C6 cells and expression of p38MAPK could be induced by TNF α. The activation of p38MAPK promoted the apoptosis of C6 cells. [