Figure 1

The small molecule p38α MAPK inhibitor, 069A, suppresses the LPS-induced increase in cytokine production by the BV-2 microglia cell line. BV-2 cells were stimulated with 100ng/ml of LPS in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of 069A (0.9 - 30 μM). 069A inhibited LPS-induced IL-1β (A) and TNFα (B) production in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ of 3.7 μM and 4.5 μM, respectively. Compound 069A (4 μM) was equally as effective in blocking the IL-1β (C) and TNFα (D) cytokine response to LPS when the compound was given at the same time as LPS (time 0) or when given at different times after LPS exposure. White bars show the response of the LPS stimulated cells in the absence of 069A. Gray bars show the response to LPS in the presence of 069A. Data are expressed as a percent of the maximal activity, where activity in the presence of LPS alone is taken as 100%. Asterisk denotes significance (*** = p < 0.001) in response to LPS in the absence (white bars) or presence (gray bars) of 069A.