Formation and release of dinitrosyl iron complexes by endothelial cells

The release of dinitrosyl non-heme iron complexes from cytotoxic macrophages accounts for NO-mediated iron loss. We have now investigated whether or not a similar mechanism operates in endothelial cells. Following stimulation with bradykinin or calcium ionophore A23187 NO and intracellular dinitrosyl iron complexes were detected by ESR spectroscopic analysis of frozen cells. In addition, endothelial cells released dinitrosyl iron complexes which bound to extracellular albumin. In transferrin and iron-free medium stimulation of endothelial cells by bradykinin or thimerosal resulted in a loss of non-heme iron. These effects were prevented by inhibition of NO synthase. Thus NO generated by the constitutive NO synthase appears to be incorporated into dinitrosyl iron complexes, which potentially account for endothelium-dependent relaxation.