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ISSN 1672-9145 Acta Biochim Biophys Sin 2004, 36(11): 741-748 CN 31-1940/Q

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Shock Waves Increase T-cell Proliferation or IL-2 Expression by Activating p38 MAP Kinase

Tie-Cheng YU*, Yi LIU, Yan TAN¹, Yanfang JIANG¹, Xueqing ZHENG², and Xinxiang XU

Department of Orthopedics, ¹Central Laboratory, and ²Lithotriptic Center, the First Teaching Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China

Abstract 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 cell function by the LDSWs.

Key words shock waves; p38 MAP kinase; IL-2; T-cell proliferation

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Received: July 23, 2004 Accepted: September 17, 2004

*Corresponding author: Tel, 81-431-7930754; E-mail, [email protected]