Superoxide and Peroxynitrite Generation from Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Macrophages
Abstract
Superoxide (O2⨪) and nitric oxide (NO) act to kill invading microbes in phagocytes. In macrophages NO is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, NOS 2) from L-arginine (L-Arg) and oxygen; however, O2⨪ was thought to be produced mainly by NADPH oxidase. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping experiments performed in murine macrophages demonstrate a novel pathway of O2⨪ generation. It was observed that depletion of cytosolic L-Arg triggers O2⨪ generation from iNOS. This iNOS-mediated O2⨪ generation was blocked by the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or by L-Arg, but not by the noninhibitory enantiomer N-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester. In L-Arg-depleted macrophages iNOS generates both O2⨪ and NO that interact to form the potent oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which was detected by luminol luminescence and whose formation was blocked by superoxide dismutase, urate, or L-Arg. This iNOS-derived ONOO- resulted in nitrotyrosine formation, and this was inhibited by iNOS blockade. iNOS-mediated O2⨪ and ONOO- increased the antibacterial activity of macrophages. Thus, with reduced L-Arg availability iNOS produces O2⨪ and ONOO- that modulate macrophage function. Due to the existence of L-Arg depletion in inflammation, iNOS-mediated O2⨪ and ONOO- may occur and contribute to cytostatic/cytotoxic actions of macrophages.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- June 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.94.13.6954
- Bibcode:
- 1997PNAS...94.6954X