The plasma of ticlopidine-linked TTP patients induced hepatic microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) apoptosis through the prolonged induction of ERK1/2 and p38 in TTP-susceptible MVECs and inhibitors of ERK-1/2 and p38 phosphorylation can abolish this phenomenon [41]. The gene discussed is MAPK3; the disease is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.