Figure 4

AEA affect cytokine generation on blockage of MAPK components. Transfection of Tat B or Tat C increased TGF-β production significantly compared to control cells. Addition of AEA to Tat B/C transfected cells significantly increased the production of TGF-β compared to Tat B/C transfection alone. Tat B/C + AEA cells were treated with pharmacological inhibitors for ERK1/2, JNK, p38 signalling; FR180204, SP600125, and SB203580, respectively. Addition of ERK, JNK, p38 inhibitors significantly down regulated the production of TGF-β compared to Tat B/C + AEA treated cells (a). IFN-γ was upregulated on transfection with Tat B/C compared to control cells. Addition of AEA to Tat B/C cells significantly reduced IFN-γ production compared to Tat B/C cells. Incubation of Tat B/C + AEA cells with MAPK blockers significantly increased IFN-γ, the exception being on addition of SB203580 (b). PI3/AKT inhibition affects production of IFN-γ but not of TGF-β in Tat C + AEA cells. Transfection of empty plasmid or AEA, inhibitors to the MAPK enzymes and pI3-AKT blocker alone do not increase production of TGF-β or IFN-γ (a, b). Results shown are the mean ± S.E (n = 3). ***p < 0.001 vs. Control. $$p < 0.01, $$$p < 0.001 vs Tat B. &p < 0.05, &&p < 0.01, &&&p < 0.001 vs Tat C. ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001 vs. Tat B + AEA. ++ p < 0.01, +++< 0.001 vs. Tat C + AEA.