title: Role of nitric oxide in mast cells: controversies, current knowledge, and future applications.
abstract: Mast cells (MC) are important effector cells in allergic disorders. Recently, the role of MC in innate and adaptive immunity is gaining prominence. Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule and its production in mast cell has been reported widely. However, controversy exists about whether MC produce NO. This review addresses the role of NO in MC biology and the reasons behind the controversy and discusses effects of NO in regulation of MC phenotype and function.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Yokananth
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sekar
authors.forename: Tae Chul
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: A Dean
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Befus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide