Interleukin-1 beta induction of neuron apoptosis depends on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity after spinal cord injury

Aim: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) has been implicated as an extracellular signal in the initiation of Apoptosis in neurons and oligodendrocytes after spinal cord injury (SCI). To further characterize the apoptotic cascade initiated by IL-1beta after SCI, we examined the expression of IL-1beta, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and Caspase-3 after SCI, and further investigated whether p38 MAPK was involved in neuron Apoptosis induced by IL-1beta.

Methods: Adult rats were given contusion SCI at the T-10 vertebrae level with a weight-drop impactor (10 g weight dropped 25.0 mm). The expression levels of IL-1beta, p38 MAPK and Caspase-3 after SCI were assessed with Western blots, immunohistochemistry staining, and real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). Neuron Apoptosis was assessed with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.

Results: Increased levels of IL-1beta and p38 MAPK were observed soon after injury, with a peak in expression levels within 6 h of injury. By 24 h after injury, Caspase-3 expression was markedly increased in the injured spinal cord. TUNEL-positive cells were first observed in the lesioned area 6 h after SCI. The largest number of TUNEL-positive cells was observed at 24 h post-SCI. Intrathecal injection of the IL-1 receptor antagonist IL-1RA significantly reduced expression of p38 MAPK and Caspase-3, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Moreover, intrathecal injection of an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, also significantly reduced the expression of Caspase-3, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the injured spinal cord.

Conclusion: The p38MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in IL-1beta mediated induction of neuron Apoptosis following SCI in rats.