title: Nitric oxide: a major determinant of mast cell phenotype and function.
abstract: Mast cells (MC) are important in the numerous physiological processes of homeostasis and disease. Most notably, MC are critical effectors in the development and exacerbation of allergic disorders. Nitric oxide (NO) is a diatomic radical produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and has pluripotent cell signaling and cytotoxic properties. NO can influence many MC functions. Recent evidence shows the source of this NO can be from the mast cell itself. Governing the production of this endogenous NO, through alterations in the expression of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a NOS cofactor, has stabilizing effects on MC degranulation. Furthermore, NO regulates the synthesis and secretion of de novo generated mediators, including leukotrienes and chemokines. These novel observations add to the growing body of knowledge surrounding the role of NO in the MC.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilchrist
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Befus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D015289:Leukotrienes; D001708:Biopterins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; C003402:sapropterin