Figure 4. Effects of EGCG on IL-1β-induced phosphorylated p38 and JNK levels in HCEpiC. Cells were cultured in complete (HCGS-containing) medium, followed by basal medium for 18 h. Cells were pre-treated with EGCG for 2 h. Cells were then treated with IL-1β + EGCG for 30 min. Phosphorylated p38 and JNK levels were determined by cell-based ELISA (upper panels) or western blotting (lower panels). A: effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced phosphorylated p38 determined by cell-based ELISA; B: effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced phosphorylated JNK determined by cell-based ELISA; C: effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced phosphorylated p38 determined by western blotting, Upper panel: upper blot shows phosphorylated p38. Lower blot is after stripping and probing with total p38 antibody. Lower panel: densitometric analysis of phosphorylated p38 normalized by total p38. D. effect of EGCG on IL-1β-induced phosphorylated JNK determined by western blotting, Upper panel: upper blot shows phosphorylated JNK. Lower blot is after stripping and probing with total JNK antibody. Lower left panel: densitometric analysis of phosphorylated p46 JNK normalized by total p46 JNK; lower right panel: densitometric analysis of phosphorylated p54 JNK normalized by total p54 JNK. For A and B, n=6, For C and D, n=3–4. Representative blots are shown. *versus IL-1β; p<0.05.