The physiological expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the human colon

Roberts, P. J., Riley, G. P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5528-5611, Morgan, K., Miller, R., Hunter, J. O. and Middleton, S. J. (2001) The physiological expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the human colon. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 54 (4). pp. 293-297.

[thumbnail of Roberts_-_Journal_of_Clinical_Pathology,_2001,_54,_293-297.pdf]
Preview
PDF (Roberts_-_Journal_of_Clinical_Pathology,_2001,_54,_293-297.pdf)
Download (280kB) | Preview

Abstract

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the colonic epithelium in both inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Nitric oxide (NO), the product of this enzyme, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both conditions. However, there are conflicting data on whether iNOS is expressed in the normal, uninflamed human colon. To evaluate the expression of iNOS in histologically normal, non-inflamed human colonic mucosa. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the expression of iNOS in 17 histologically normal specimens obtained at colectomy performed for colorectal neoplasia. In addition, 16 endoscopic mucosal biopsies, taken from normal individuals, were also evaluated. Eleven surgical specimens and 16 endoscopic biopsies from patients with refractory ulcerative colitis were used as inflammatory controls. All types of specimens expressed iNOS mRNA. Immunoblotting revealed a protein of approximately 130 kDa consistent with iNOS in mucosal extracts of 77% of normal individuals, and 85% of diseased controls. Immunolabelling localised this protein to the surface epithelium in most of the normal specimens and also to the crypt epithelium and inflammatory cells in the diseased controls. These findings provide evidence that iNOS is often expressed in the surface epithelium of non-inflamed human colon, suggesting that it is induced by local luminal factors, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin). The resultant NO produced at this site might act as an oxidative barrier, reducing bacterial translocation and providing a means of defence against pathogenic microorganisms.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Musculoskeletal Medicine
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Cells and Tissues
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 01 Oct 2010 13:38
Last Modified: 03 Sep 2023 00:23
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1523
DOI: 10.1136/jcp.54.4.293

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item