REPORT

New targets I—signal transduction

Mitogen activated protein kinases as targets for development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs

M Karin

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
M Karin
Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093–0723, USA; karinoffice{at}ucsd.edu

Given the prevalence and debilitating nature of chronic inflammatory diseases there is a never ending quest for identification of novel targets for the rational development of anti-inflammatory drugs. Although the major signalling pathway that controls inflammation associated gene expression is the one leading to activation of transcription factor NF-B, considerable attention has also been given to mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as likely targets for development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Indeed, inhibitors targeting these pathways have been developed and preliminary preclinical data suggest that they exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. This report focuses on the possible mechanisms through which such inhibitors may interfere with inflammation and discusses the pros and cons of targeting MAPKs in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease.

Abbreviations: AP-1, activator protein-1; ERK, extracellular regulating kinase; JNK, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase; IBs, inhibitors of NF-B; IKK, IB kinase; IL, interleukin; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MAPK, mitogen activated protein kinase; NF, nuclear factor; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; TNF, tumour necrosis factor

Keywords: mitogen activated protein kinases; MAPKs; novel anti-inflammatory drugs; signalling pathways

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