Regulatory Role of Nitric Oxide in Cutaneous Inflammation

• Published in: Inflammation Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 949 - 964
• Main Authors: Man, Mao-Qiang, Wakefield, Joan S., Mauro, Theodora M., Elias, Peter M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Apoptosis; Atopic dermatitis; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell proliferation; Cytokines; Cytokines - metabolism; Dermatitis, Atopic - metabolism; Eczema; Epidermis; Epidermis - metabolism; Homeostasis; Humans; Immunology; Inflammation; Inflammation - metabolism; Internal Medicine; Leukocyte migration; Lymphocytes T; Mice; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Pathology; Permeability; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase; Review; Rheumatology; Wound healing; inflammation; nitric oxide; dermatitis
• ISSN: 0360-3997; 1573-2576; 1573-2576
• DOI: 10.1007/s10753-021-01615-8

Nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule, regulates biological functions in multiple organs/tissues, including the epidermis, where it impacts permeability barrier homeostasis, wound healing, and antimicrobial defense. In addition, NO participates in cutaneous inflammation, where it exhibits pro-inflammatory properties via the cyclooxygenase/prostaglandin pathway, migration of inflammatory cells, and cytokine production. Yet, NO can also inhibit cutaneous inflammation through inhibition of T cell proliferation and leukocyte migration/infiltration, enhancement of T cell apoptosis, as well as through down-regulation of cytokine production. Topical applications of NO-releasing products can alleviate atopic dermatitis in humans and in murine disease models. The underlying mechanisms of these discrepant effects of NO on cutaneous inflammation remain unknown. In this review, we briefly review the regulatory role of NO in cutaneous inflammation and its potential, underlying mechanisms.