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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
Published on: February 25, 2016
Enzyme-independent nitric oxide formation during UVA challenge of human skin: characterization, molecular sources,
Adnana N Paunel1, André Dejam, Sven Thelen
1Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunobiology, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, P.O. Box 101007, D-40001 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Abstract:
Many of the local UV-induced responses including erythema and edema formation, inflammation, premature aging, and immune suppression can be influenced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-produced NO which is known to play a pivotal role in cutaneous physiology. Besides NOS-mediated NO production, UV radiation might trigger an enzyme-independent NO formation in human skin by a mechanism comprising the decomposition of photo-reactive nitrogen oxides. Therefore, we have examined the chemical-storage forms of potential NO-generating agents, the mechanisms and kinetics of their decomposition, and their biological relevance. In normal human skin specimens we find nitrite and S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) at concentrations 25- or 360-fold higher than those found in plasma of healthy volunteers. UVA irradiation of human skin leads to high-output formation of bioactive NO due to photo-decomposition of RSNO and nitrite which represents the primary basis for NO formation during UVA exposure. Interestingly, reduced thiols strongly augment photo-decomposition of nitrite and are essential for maximal NO release. The enzyme-independent NO formation found in human skin opens a completely new field in cutaneous physiology and will extend our understanding of mechanisms contributing to skin aging, inflammation, and cancerogenesis.
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