Figure 6.

NTHi-induced COX-2 mRNA and PGE2 expression mediated by p38 MAPK- and NF-kappa B-dependent signaling pathway. A: A549 cells were inoculated with NTHi with or without PDTC, and COX-2 mRNA expression was measured by RT-PCR analysis 4 h after NTHi inoculation. B: A549 cells were inoculated with p38 inhibitors SB203580 or SB202190, and COX-2 mRNA expression was measured by RT-PCR analysis 4 h after NTHi inoculation. C: A549 cells were inoculated with NTHi with or without PDTC, SB203580, and SB202190, and expression levels of PGE2 were measured by ELISA assay 16 h after NTHi inoculation. Data are means ± SEM (n = 3). *p < 0.05 vs. Mock; **p < 0.05 vs. 50 MOI of NTHi.