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Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS): role in asthma pathogenesis
Jyotsna Batra1, Rajshekhar Chatterjee, Balaram Ghosh
1Molecular Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi 110007, India.
Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics
|March 18, 2008
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a complex role in asthma, with increased levels observed in patients. Further research is needed to clarify the precise role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in asthma for developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic airway inflammatory disorder affecting over 300 million globally.
- Nitric oxide (NO), produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), regulates airway tone and inflammation in asthma.
- Asthmatic patients exhibit elevated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and exhaled NO levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental and genetic studies on the role of iNOS in asthma.
- To summarize controversial findings regarding iNOS's effects in asthma.
- To highlight the need for further research to understand iNOS's precise role.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on iNOS inhibitors and gene knockout experiments in asthma models.
- Analysis of genetic studies investigating iNOS in asthma.
- Synthesis of biochemical and clinical data related to NO and iNOS in asthma.
Main Results:
- Inhibitor and gene knockout studies yielded conflicting results on iNOS's beneficial or detrimental effects in asthma.
- Genetic studies provide insights but require further investigation.
- Current data suggests a complex, not fully understood, role for iNOS in asthma pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The precise role of iNOS in asthma remains controversial and requires extensive biochemical, clinical, and genetic investigation.
- Understanding iNOS's function is crucial for developing targeted therapeutics.
- Future research may lead to novel iNOS inhibitors and NO donors for asthma treatment.
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