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Expression of nitric oxide synthase in the human nasal mucosa
K Furukawa1, D G Harrison, D Saleh
1Department of Pathology, Montreal General Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are present in the nasal mucosa. Type III NOS is found in healthy and diseased nasal tissue, while Type II NOS appears in chronic rhinitis, suggesting roles in nasal function.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- The nasal mucosa is crucial for lung defense against inhaled pathogens.
- Nitric oxide (NO) production by the nasal mucosa is hypothesized to contribute to this defense mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the localization and expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes and their messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in human nasal mucosa.
- To elucidate the potential roles of NOS in nasal physiology and pathology.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect NOS protein expression.
- In situ hybridization identified the localization of NOS mRNAs.
- NADPH diaphorase histochemistry confirmed NOS activity.
- Human inferior turbinates from 27 patients were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Type III NOS (endothelial) was consistently found in vascular endothelium, surface epithelium, and submucosal glands.
- Type II NOS (inducible) was moderately expressed in surface epithelium, glandular cells, inflammatory cells, vascular endothelium, and smooth muscle cells, primarily in chronic rhinitis patients.
- mRNA for Type III NOS localized similarly to its protein, while Type II NOS mRNA was mainly in inflammatory cells.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates the cellular expression of NOS in the human nasal mucosa.
- The findings suggest that Type II and Type III NO synthases play significant roles in regulating nasal blood flow, secretion, and ciliary function in both health and disease states like chronic rhinitis.