Indomethacin induces increase in gastric epithelial tight junction permeability via redistribution of occludin and activation of p38 MAPK in MKN-28 Cells

Tight Junctions (TJ) create a paracellular barrier that is compromised when nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) injure the gastric epithelium, leading to increased permeability. However, the mechanism of NSAID-induced gastric injury is unclear. Here, we examined the effect of indomethacin on barrier function and TJ in gastric MKN-28 cells. In concentration response studies, 500 μm indomethacin induced a significant decrease in transepithelial resistance (TER; 380 vs. 220 Ω·cm2 for control and indomethacin-treated cells respectively, p < 0.05), and increased dextran permeability by 0.2 vs 1.2 g/l (p < 0.05). These changes in barrier function were completely ameliorated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB-203580) but not by JNK inhibitor (SP-600125) or MEK/ERK inhibitor (PD-98059). SiRNA knock down of p38 MAPK prevented the loss of barrier function caused by indomethacin in MKN-28 cells. Western analyses of TJ proteins revealed that expression of occludin was reduced by indomethacin, whereas there was no change in other TJ proteins. The loss of occludin expression induced by indomethacin was prevented by inhibition of p38 MAPK but not JNK or ERK and also by siRNA of p38 MAPK. Immunofluorescence revealed disruption of occludin localization at the site of the tight junction in indomethacin-treated cells, and this was attenuated by inhibition of p38 MAPK. NSAID injury to murine gastric mucosa on Ussing chambers revealed that indomethacin caused a significant drop in TER and increased paracellular permeability. Pretreatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly attenuated the disruption of barrier function, but JNK and MEK/ERK inhibition had no effect. Western blot analysis on gastric mucosa reveled loss of TJ protein occludin by indomethacin, which was prevented by inhibition of p38 MAPK. This data suggests that indomethacin compromises the gastric epithelial barrier via p38 MAPK inducing occludin alterations in the TJs