MAPK8 and visceral leishmaniasis: Previous studies showed that Ca2+-dependent PKC-MAPK pathways, including the ERK, JNK, and p38-type signaling pathways, participate in cardiac remodeling, visceral leishmaniasis, oxidative stress, immunomodulatory effect, and etc. [65–68] As a downstream molecule of Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways, PKC is a ubiquitous serotonin protein kinase that catalyzes the phosphorylation of many cell proteins [67].