Localization of nitric oxide synthase in human nasal mucosa with nasal allergy

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of upper respiratory function. In the nasal cavity, the concentration of NO in the air in patients with untreated allergic rhinitis is higher than that in normal individuals. NO is produced by the action of NO synthase (NOS) using L-arginine as a substrate. To investigate the expression of NOS in human nasal mucosa, histochemical staining for NADPH diaphorase and immunohistochemical staining for NOS isoforms were carried out in nasal inferior turbinate mucosa from patients with nasal allergy. Those without nasal allergy served as controls. NADPH diaphorase histochemical study revealed that NOS was expressed in the nasal epithelium, submucosal glands, nerve fibres and the endothelium in specimens of both allergic and control groups. Immunoreactivity to endothelial NOS (eNOS) was localized to epithelial and endothelial cells in both allergic and control groups. In some specimens in both groups, nerve fibres around submucosal glands stained positively for eNOS. Immunoreactivity to eNOS, however, was slightly stronger in the epithelia of the allergic group than in those of the controls. Immunoreactivity to inducible NOS (iNOS) was localized to epithelial cells, endothelial cells, nasal glands and inflammatory cells. The staining of epithelial cells and inflammatory cells was more marked in the allergic group than the controls. These findings may suggest that the greater amounts of NO in the nasal air of patients with allergic rhinitis are mainly induced by iNOS activity.