MKP-1: A negative feedback effector that represses MAPK-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling pathways and cytokine secretion in human airway smooth muscle cells

► TNFα induces phospho-MAPKs and upregulates MKP-1 in a temporally-distinct manner. ► TNFα-induced MKP-1 mRNA stability is regulated by the p38 MAPK pathway. ► Without MKP-1, MAPK signaling and cytokine secretion by ASM is unrestrained. ► The MAPK deactivator MKP-1 acts in a negative feedback manner. ► TNFα controls pro-inflammatory cellular signaling in ASM cells via MKP-1.