Figure 1. Overexpression of p38 kinase restores cardiac function after MI. Functional effects of p38 kinase overexpression on LV remodeling were studied by echocardiography 2 wk after MI and gene transfer. A) LV diastolic diameter (LVdd) was significantly smaller in animals treated with MKK3bE+WTp38 gene transfer. B, C) Fractional shortening (FS) and ejection fraction (EF) were significantly improved. D) Left ventricular wt vs. body wt (LV/BW) ratio of MKK3bE+WTp38-treated animals was similar to that of sham-operated. Results are mean ± SE; n = 6–8. *P < 0.05 vs. sham, ***P < 0.001 vs. sham, P < 0.01 vs. LacZ-injected animals with myocardial infarction, P < 0.001 vs. LacZ-injected animals with MI (one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test).