title: Modulation of picryl chloride-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction in mice by nitric oxide.
abstract: We have studied the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the contact hypersensitivity reaction. A biphasic response of ear swelling was observed at 2 h (early phase) and 24 h (late phase) after application of the antigen to picryl chloride (PC1)-sensitized CBA/J mice. Intravenous injection of NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), at the time of PC1 challenge, inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion the antigen-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction. Low-dose (1 mg/kg) L-NAME inhibited the early-phase reaction but not the late-phase reaction. High-dose (250 mg/kg) L-NAME inhibited both early- and late-phase reactions. D-NAME (enantiomer of L-NAME) did not inhibit the antigen-induced ear swelling. High-dose (250 mg/kg) L-arginine increased both early and late phase reactions. D-Arginine (enantiomer of L-arginine) did no increase the antigen-induced ear swelling. L-NAME injection, however, did not suppress phenol-induce irritant inflammation. Treatment of mice undergoing PC1-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction with L-NAME reduced the production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma by draining lymph node cells. Treatment with L-arginine, on the other hand increased the production of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma. These results suggest that NO plays a modulating role in contact hypersensitivity reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004423:Ear; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D007509:Irritants; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019800:Phenol; D010636:Phenols; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007509:Irritants; D010636:Phenols; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019800:Phenol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D010853:Picryl Chloride