Figure 6.

Evaluation of MAPK family members in NP cells treated with IL‐17A and small‐molecule inhibitors under hypoxia. A, B, Real‐time PCR analysis following treatment with IL‐17A and p38 inhibitor (SB203580, SB), JNK inhibitor (SP600125, SP) or ERK inhibitor (PD203580, PD). COX‐2 mRNA (A) was significantly decreased with all three inhibitors. IL‐6 mRNA (B) was significantly decreased in the cells with SB or PD treatment. Results shown as mean ± SD; n = 3, *P < 0.05. C‐F, Western blotting and quantification of the phosphorylated forms of JNK, ERK, and p38 in NP cells treated with or without IL‐17A and STK at 15 minutes (C, E) and 30 minutes (D,F) of hypoxia. IL‐17A treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38 and ERK at both 15 and 30 minutes compared with non‐treated NP cells. IL‐17A and STK treatments significantly decreased the phosphorylation of p38 compared with IL‐17A alone at 30 minutes (E, F). Results shown as mean ± SD; n = 3, *P < 0.05