Isoform-specific and cell/tissue-dependent effects of p38 MAPKs in regulating inflammation and inflammation-associated oncogenesis.p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) family proteins (α, β, γ and δ) are key inflammatory kinases and play an important role in relaying and processing intrinsic and extrinsic signals in response to inflammation, stress, and oncogene to regulate cell growth, cell death and cell transformation.  This review summarizes recent discoveries in this field, discusses possible associated mechanisms, and highlights potentials of systemically targeting isoform-specific p38 MAPKs. 
p38 MAPKs
Recent studies in genetic mouse models revealed that p38α in epithelial cells mostly suppresses whereas in immune cells it promotes inflammation and inflammation-associated oncogenesis. 
p38α
On the contrary, p38γ and p38δ signaling in immune and epithelial cells is both pro-inflammatory and oncogenic. 
p38γ
On the contrary, p38γ and p38δ signaling in immune and epithelial cells is both pro-inflammatory and oncogenic. 
p38δ