Open AccessInducible nitric oxide synthase regulates macrophage polarization via the MAPK signals in concanavalin A‐induced hepatitis
Author(s) -
Yao Xiaoying,
Jin Guiyuan,
Liu Dong,
Zhang Xiaobei,
Yang Yonghong,
chen Yu,
Duan Zhongping,
Bi Yanzhen,
Yan Fenglian,
Yang Yanli,
Zhang Hui,
Dong Guanjun,
Li Shanshan,
Cheng Shumin,
Tang Huixin,
Hong Feng,
Si Chuanping
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
immunity, inflammation and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2050-4527
DOI - 10.1002/iid3.643
Subject(s) - concanavalin a , nitric oxide synthase , proinflammatory cytokine , liver injury , inflammation , nitric oxide , hepatitis , chemistry , biology , immunology , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biochemistry , in vitro
Acute liver inflammatory reactions contribute to many health problems; thus, it is critical to understand the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of acute hepatitis. In this study, an experimental in vivo model of concanavalin A (ConA)‐induced hepatitis was used. Materials and Methods C57BL/6 (wild‐type, WT) or inducible nitric oxide synthase‐deficient (iNOS − /− ) mice were injected with PBS or 15 mg/kg ConA via tail vein. Detection of liver injury by histological examination and apoptosis, and flow cytometry to detect the effect of immune cells on liver injury. Results iNOS − /− mice had lower levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, suggesting that they were protected against ConA‐induced pathological liver injury and that iNOS participated in the regulation of hepatitis. Furthermore, iNOS deficiency was found to lower CD86 expression and suppressed the messenger RNA levels of inflammatory factors in the liver. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that iNOS deficiency suppressed the sequential phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway cascade, thereby inhibiting the M1 polarization of macrophages and consequently suppressing the transcription of inflammation factors. Conclusion iNOS may contribute to ConA‐induced inflammation by promoting the activation of proinflammatory macrophages.