Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase by Sodium Salicylate Leads to Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Induced IκBα Phosphorylation and Degradation

Many actions of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) on gene expression are mediated by the transcription factor NF-κB. Activation of NF-κB by TNF and IL-1 is initiated by the phosphorylation of the inhibitory subunit, IκB, which targets IκB for degradation and leads to the release of active NF-κB. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sodium salicylate (NaSal) interferes with TNF-induced NF-κB activation by inhibiting phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of the IκBα protein. Recent evidence indicated that NaSal activates the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), raising the possibility that inhibition of NF-κB activation by NaSal is mediated by p38 MAPK. We now show that inhibition of TNF-induced IκBα phosphorylation and degradation by NaSal is prevented by treatment of cells with SB203580, a highly specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. Both p38 activation and inhibition of TNF-induced IκBα degradation were seen after only 30 s to 1 min of NaSal treatment. Induction of p38 MAPK activation and inhibition of TNF-induced IκBα degradation were demonstrated with pharmacologically achievable doses of NaSal. These findings provide evidence for a role of NaSal-induced p38 MAPK activation in the inhibition of TNF signaling and suggest a possible role for the p38 MAPK in the anti-inflammatory actions of salicylates. In addition, these results implicate the p38 MAPK as a possible negative regulator of TNF signaling that leads to NF-κB activation.