Role of nitric oxide synthesis in macrophage antimicrobial activity.
Research over the past 5 years has demonstrated that immunologic activation of mouse macrophages induces the activity of nitric oxide synthase, which oxidizes a guanidino nitrogen of L-arginine, yielding citrulline and the reactive radical, nitric oxide. A review of the biochemistry and immunologic regulation of this pathway in macrophages provides a backdrop against which to evaluate its effector functions. Reports published in the past 2 years suggest that synthesis of NO mediates much of the antimicrobial activity of mouse macrophages against some fungal, helminthic, protozoal and bacterial pathogens.
Nathan
C F
CF
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York 10021.
Hibbs
J B
JB
D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000276:immunology; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D051381:Rats
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases