Nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactive neurons in human and porcine respiratory tract.
The presence of nitric oxide synthase (NO-synthase), the enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine, is shown immunocytochemically in the intrinsic neurons of the human and porcine respiratory tract. NO-synthase immunoreactivity is demonstrated in a subpopulation of neurons of the microganglia present in the wall of the extra- and intrapulmonary bronchi as well as in the hilar region of the lung in relation to blood vessels. The immunostaining was also found in some nerve fibers of the respiratory nervous system. Human and porcine lung gave similar results. The possible involvement of NO in the nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nervous regulation of the lung is discussed.
de Rada
O D
OD
Department of Cytology and Histology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Villaro
A C
AC
Montuenga
L M
LM
Martínez
A
A
Springall
D R
DR
Polak
J M
JM
D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D005724:Ganglia / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases