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Nitrative stress in inflammatory lung diseases
Hisatoshi Sugiura1, Masakazu Ichinose
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan. sugiura@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Nitric Oxide : Biology and Chemistry
|March 29, 2011
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) plays dual roles in the respiratory system. While constitutive NO aids homeostasis, inducible NO and related reactive nitrogen species (RNS) contribute to lung inflammation in asthma and COPD.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a key intracellular signal transmitter with diverse physiological roles.
- Constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) promotes bronchodilation and pulmonary vasodilation.
- The role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO in inflammatory lung diseases is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological and pathophysiological effects of NO and NO-related molecules in the respiratory system.
- To explore the controversial roles of NO in airway and lung inflammation.
- To discuss the impact of nitrosative stress in asthma and COPD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on nitric oxide and inflammatory lung diseases.
- Analysis of research on constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) functions.
- Examination of the role of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in respiratory pathophysiology.
Main Results:
- Constitutive NO (from NOS1, NOS3) is essential for respiratory homeostasis.
- Inducible NO (from NOS2) has controversial roles in asthma and COPD pathogenesis.
- Excessive nitrosative stress and RNS contribute to inflammation and tissue damage in asthma and COPD.
Conclusions:
- NO exhibits complex, context-dependent effects in the respiratory system.
- iNOS-derived NO may have both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in lung diseases.
- Nitrosative stress and RNS are implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD.
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