Regulation of cytokine production by exogenous nitric oxide in murine splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage.
Nitric oxide (NO), products of activated macrophages, have a great impact on the regulation of cytokine production. The role of NO in non-specific host cells is commonly accepted. On the contrary, its role as an immuno-regulatory molecule is still controversial. In this study, we have investigated the effect of NO on the production of cytokines from murine splenocytes and macrophages. S-nitroso-L-glutathione inhibited the release of both interferone-gamma and interleukin-2 produced by Th1 cells and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta produced by macrophages, but did not affect the release of interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 produced by Th2 cells. These results suggest that NO exerts a down-regulatory effect on the secretion of cytokines from Th1 cells and macrophages which are implicated in immune response. Thus, NO may have an important role as an immuno-modulatory as well as effector molecule in the immune system.
Eun
J S
JS
College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University, Samrye, Korea. jseun@core.woosuk.ac.kr
Suh
Y H
YH
Kim
D K
DK
Jeon
H
H
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D026422:S-Nitrosoglutathione; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D026422:S-Nitrosoglutathione; D005978:Glutathione