Figure 6.

Schematic presentation of the signalling pathway involved in isoprenaline-induced up-regulation of IL-6 production in NMCFs. Binding of isoprenaline to β₂-adrenoceptors (β₂AR) activates adenylate cyclase (AC), then AC converts ATP to cAMP. Increased cAMP binds and activates Epac1, and Epac1 stimulates PKCδ phosphorylation and translocation through indirect mechanisms. PKCδ phosphorylates the key player, p38 MAPK, which activates transcription factors to stimulate IL-6 transcription and production. Kinase inhibitors and molecular biological methods of interfering with signalling molecules are also shown in the Figure.