Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase potentiates the apoptotic effect of berberine/tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand combination therapy.

ABSTRACT: It was previously reported that berberine (BBR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) exhibited a synergistic apoptotic effect on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. In addition, the BBR/TRAIL combination treatment sensitized TRAIL-resistant TNBC cells to TRAIL. The aim of the present study was to investigate a novel pathway for enhancing the apoptotic effect of BBR/TRAIL through mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Selective inhibitors and small interfering RNAs were utilized to understand the role of p38 MAPK in this pathway. The results demonstrated that p38 MAPK was activated in response to the combination therapy in TRAIL-resistant TNBC cells. In addition, it was revealed that the inhibition of p38 enhanced apoptosis in epidermal growt

SUBMITTER: Refaat A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4533710 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature