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Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI118613

Nitric oxide inhibits viral replication in murine myocarditis.

C J Lowenstein, S L Hill, A Lafond-Walker, J Wu, G Allen, M Landavere, N R Rose, and A Herskowitz

Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

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First published April 15, 1996 - More info

Published in Volume 97, Issue 8 on April 15, 1996
J Clin Invest. 1996;97(8):1837–1843. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI118613.
© 1996 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
First published April 15, 1996 - Version history
Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a radical molecule that not only serves as a vasodilator and neurotransmitter but also acts as a cytotoxic effector molecule of the immune system. The inducible enzyme making NO, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), is transcriptionally activated by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, cytokines which are produced during viral infection. We show that iNOS is induced in mice infected with the Coxsackie B3 virus. Macrophages expressing iNOS are identified in the hearts and spleens of infected animals with an antibody raised against iNOS. Infected mice have increased titers of virus and a higher mortality when fed NOS inhibitors. Thus, viral infection induces iNOS in vivo, and NO inhibits viral replication. NO is a novel, nonspecific immune defense against viruses in vivo.

Version history
  • Version 1 (April 15, 1996): No description
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