Role of MKP-5-p38/MAPK pathway in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal epithelial cells apoptosis and tight junction dysfunction

Bleeding and delayed healing of gastric ulcer are well-recognized in patients following Clopidorgrel treatment. Our previous studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER) is involved in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal damage through activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. This present study aims to further investigate the role of MAP kinase Phosphatase 5 (MKP-5), a MKP known to dephosphorylate and inactivate p38/MAPK, in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury and the underlying mechanisms. It shows that MKP-5 is down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels in the gastric mucosa from bleeding patients who took Clopidogrel over one year. In vitro study using human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1 demonstrates that exposure to Clopidorgrel (1.0-2.0 mM) increases phosphorylation of p38/MAPK and decreases MKP-5 expression simultaneously. Overexpression of MKP-5 promotes GES-1 cell proliferation and reduces Apoptosis following Clopidogrel exposure. Interestingly, overexpression of MKP-5 also attenuates Clopidorgrel-induced tight junction (TJ) destruction by down-regulating expression of ER stress-related protein C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and tribbles pseudokinase 3 (TRIB3). These three effects, increased proliferation, reduced Apoptosis and attenuated TJ destruction, are regulated through inhibited phosphorylation of p38/MAPK signaling pathway. We conclude that MKP-5 is down-regulated in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosa injury in vivo and in vitro via phosphorylation and activation of p38/MAPK signaling pathway. Overexpression of MKP-5 reverses Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury. These findings imply that MKP-5 may be a potential therapeutic target in Clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal injury and bleeding.