title: Induction, Propagation, and Activity of Host Nitric Oxide: Lessons from Leishmania Infection.
abstract: The production of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is a key defense mechanism against intracellular pathogens such as Leishmania. Numerous studies have investigated the antimicrobial properties of this small molecule in vitro but its precise mode of action during Leishmania infection in vivo is still unclear. In this review, we discuss how iNOS is induced in infected tissues and how NO acts to control the expansion of Leishmania parasites and limit tissue damage resulting from the infection. We highlight recently described mechanisms that result in widespread iNOS expression in infected tissues. We also discuss how the collective production and subsequent diffusion of NO generates an antimicrobial milieu that promotes parasite control at the tissue level.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Dynamics of Immune Responses, F-75015 Paris, France; INSERM U668, F-75015 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olekhnovitch
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Dynamics of Immune Responses, F-75015 Paris, France; INSERM U668, F-75015 Paris, France. Electronic address: philippe.bousso@pasteur.fr.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bousso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000502:physiology; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
keywords: Leishmania; T cell; antimicrobial activity; immunopathology; nitric oxide