p38γ overexpression in gliomas and its role in proliferation and apoptosis

The objective of this study was to confirm the biological role of p38 gamma in human gliomas. The expression profiles of p38 gamma and hTERT in human glioma samples were detected by Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. RNA interference was performed in U251 cells by p38 gamma silencing. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assayed by CCK-8 and flow cytometric analysis, and then RNA and protein expression levels were measured by real-time RT-PCR and Western Blot, respectively. Telomerase activity assays and Caspase-3,-9 activation assays were also conducted. The results showed p38 gamma had a positive correlation with the glioma's malignancy grade and that the treatment of U251 cells with p38 gamma-siRNA inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis. Correspondingly, hTERT expression and telomerase activity were down regulated and Caspase-3 and -9 activities were elevated. In conclusion, p38 gamma may serve as an oncogenic factor promoting the growth and progression of gliomas and may become a useful therapeutic target.