Abstract: The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is one of the important signaling systems that mediates extracellular to intracellular signaling to regulate a variety of pathophysiological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, matrix deposition, inflammation and apoptosis. Hyper- or hypoactivation of this signaling pathway may lead to the development of various diseases, including neointimal hyperplasia-mediated autogenous arteriovenous fistula dysfunction. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway is closely related to neointimal hyperplasia that causes many cardiovascular diseases as well as vascular stenosis after arteriovenous fistulas, bypass grafting and angioplasty operations, resulting in health problems of the patients and even social financial burdens. Based on the role of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in neointimal hyperplasia, modulation of this signaling pathway may be an alternative way for the treatment of neointimal hyperplasia-related diseases.

Key words: p38 MAPK signaling pathway, Neointimal hyperplasia, Vascular smooth muscle- cells, Endothelial cells