Figure 3. Cyclic stretch-induced activation of p44/42 MAPK in alveolar epithelial cells is dependent on EGFR activity; both are abrogated by hypercapnia.

Western blots demonstrate phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK (A) and of EGFR (B) induced by cyclic stretch under normocapnia (5% CO₂ atmosphere) but not under hypercapnia (12% CO₂). C, cyclic stretch-induced activation of p44/42 MAPK under normocapnia is blocked by 150 nm AG1478 *P < 0.05 vs. all other groups; n = 8. EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase.