Fig. 3

IL-17A induces phosphorylation and activation of p38 in NP cells. NP cells were transferred to a 24-well plate and cultured in serum-free medium for 12 h before treatment with IL-17A (100 ng/ml) for 15 min. The cells were then performed to Immunofluorescence staining. NP cells were incubated with primary antibodies against p-p38 and anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody (TMRITC). DAPI mounting medium was used for nuclear staining. Left: cells stained with antibody to p-p38 (red). Middle: cells stained with DAPI to identify nuclei, (blue). Right: cells stained with antibody to p-c-Jun and with DAPI. The results revealed that phosphorylation level of p38 was promoted significantly in IL-17A treated NP cells than in untrated controls. Scale bar = 50 μm