ULK1 and colorectal carcinoma: Furthermore, p38 MAPK can inhibit autophagy and promote microglial inflammation via phosphorylating unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) (41), and the stimulation of the p38 MAPK pathway via osteopontin can advocate malignant change in CRC, and suppress autophagy (42).