title: [Nitric oxide and macrophages].
abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous radical enzymatically produced from L-arginine by virtually every cell. This versatile molecule is involved in a variety of biological functions including defense against pathogens. Micro-organisms whose development is inhibited by NO include fungi, bacteria, protozoa, helminths and viruses. In murine macrophages, a high output NO synthase (NOS II) is regulated transcriptionally by cytokines and microbial products. In the past few years, investigators have identified many other cell types expressing NOS II. However, in human monocytes/macrophages, the existence of the L-arginine-NO pathway has long been questioned. Recent findings and new developments in this respect are commented in this short review.
authors.affiliation: U 365 INSERM, Section de Recherche, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Drapier
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide
vernacular_title: Monoxyde d'azote et macrophages.