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Nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production in in vivo‐derived mast cells
Author(s) -
Gilchrist Mark,
Savoie Michelle,
Nohara Osamu,
Wills Fiona L.,
Wallace John L.,
Befus A. D.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.71.4.618
Subject(s) - nitric oxide , nitric oxide synthase , biology , in vivo , nos1 , mast (botany) , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , mast cell , immunology , endocrinology
Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent mediator synthesized by a variety of cells involved in inflammatory reactions. We investigated the expression of NO synthase (NOS) in rat peritoneal mast cells (PMC). Small amounts of eNOS mRNA were detected basally, whereas neither mRNA for iNOS nor nNOS was detected in unstimulated PMC. Following stimulation by antigen, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), or anti‐CD8 antibody, PMC up‐regulated iNOS mRNA expression. In situ RT‐PCR confirmed that iNOS mRNA originated from PMC. Production of iNOS protein was confirmed in stimulated PMC by immunohistochemistry. Upon stimulation with antigen, IFN‐γ, or anti‐CD8, nitrite production was increased significantly (8.4±0.6, 7.6±0.9, and 6.6±0.9 μM/2×10 5 cells/48 h NO 2 − , respectively; P <0.01), whereas unstimulated PMC released 2.1 ± 0.3 μM/2 × 10 5 cells/48 h NO 2 − . These findings demonstrate that in vivo‐derived PMC transcribe and translate mRNA for NOS and produce NO.