Figure 6. Basal p38 MAPK activation and MKK3 levels correlates with cDDP resistance in HNSCC derived cell lines.

A) 4 HNSCC derived cell lines were treated with the indicated doses of cDDP during 48 hours. Survival was referred to untreated cells. Bars indicate standard deviation (SD). B) All cell lines were exposed to the indicated doses of cDDP for 2 h. Then, samples were collected and 50 µg of the total cell lysate TCL were used to evaluate the p38MAPK phosphorylation levels. Membranes were re-blotted against p38 as loading control. C) 100 µg of TCL was used to evaluate MKK6 and MKK3 protein levels. Tubulin was used as loading control. D) 50 µg of TCL were use to estimate levels of basal phosphorylation p38 MAPK and total p38 MAPK expression levels.