['Calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), an endogenous neuropeptide, play an important role in the development of neuroinflammation by acting upon its receptor. The CGRP receptor immunoreactivity was identified on Schwann cells. However the effects of CGRP on Schwann cells are unknown and the exact signaling mechanisms associated with CGRP receptor activation related to Schwann cells inflammatory responses are not well understood. We investigated the effect of CGRP on CGRP receptor activation mediates a proinflammatory signaling response in Schwann cells.', 'CGRP-induced ERK-MAPK phosphorylation and proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) expressions were measured by immune blotting. We also used specific antagonist and inhibitors to confirm the exactly signaling pathway including CGRP (8-37), SQ 22536 and H-89.', 'Treatment with CGRP demonstrated a significant generation of IL-1β and IL-6 but not in the level of TNF-α. In addition, there was a temporal increase in the activated form of ERK caused by CGRP that was prevented after pretreatment with CGRP (8-37), SQ 22536 and H-89. Furthermore, use of the CGRP (8-37), ERK inhibitor PD 98059, SQ 22536 or H-89 abolished the CGRP mediated increase in IL-1β.'] Does calcitonin gene-related peptide mediate an inflammatory response in Schwann cells via cAMP-dependent ERK signaling cascade?