Modulation of phorbol ester—induced regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Abstract

These results indicate that activation of p38 MAPK by PMA plays a central role in the regulation of MMPs and TIMPs in D54 cells, which has a major influence in tumor invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580 blocked the secretion of MMPs and in vitro invasion of various glioma cells, underscoring a possible role of p38 MAPK inhibitors as antiinvasive and/or antimetastatic agents of malignant gliomas.