Nitric oxide production and signaling in inflammation

Curr Drug Targets Inflamm Allergy. 2005 Aug;4(4):471-9. doi: 10.2174/1568010054526359.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a mediator and regulator of inflammatory responses. It possesses cytotoxic properties that are aimed against pathogenic microbes, but it can also have damaging effects on host tissues. NO reacts with soluble guanylate cyclase to form cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which mediates many of the effects of NO. NO can also interact with molecular oxygen and superoxide anion to produce reactive nitrogen species that can modify various cellular functions. These indirect effects of NO have a significant role in inflammation, where NO is produced in high amounts by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and reactive oxygen species are synthesized by activated inflammatory cells. The present review deals with NO production and signaling in inflammation, especially in relation to human neutrophils and eosinophils.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis*
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • Nitric Oxide
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II