In order to elucidate the pathways that are involved in the regulated expression of the antimicrobial peptide genes, lysozyme, CCL20 and SLPI, LA-4 cells were pre-incubated with specific inhibitors of NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways (BAY11-7082 and SB203580 respectively) prior to the infection process. Here, SLPI is linked to infection.