Decreased Bronchial Eosinophilic Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion in Asthmatic Mice Lacking All Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms

Background Asthma is characterized by airflow limitation with chronic airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and mucus hypersecretion. NO is generated by three nitric oxide synthase (i/n/eNOSs) isoforms, but conflicting results have been reported using asthmatic mice treated with NOSs inhibitors and NOS-knockout mice. To elucidate the authentic role of NO/NOSs in asthma, we used asthmatic mice lacking all NOSs (n/i/eNOS(-/-)). MethodsWild-type and n/i/eNOS(-/-) mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Pathological findings and expressions of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, -5, -10, -13 and chemokines in the lung were evaluated. ResultsDecreased eosinophilic inflammation, bronchial thickening and mucus secretion, IL-4, -5 and -13, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, eotaxin-1 and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine expressions were observed in n/i/eNOS(-/-) mice compared to wild-type, but expressions of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were similar. ConclusionUsing asthmatic n/i/eNOS(-/-) mice, NO plays important roles in accelerating bronchial eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in the pathophysiology of asthma.