Nitric oxide signaling pathway in host immune response

The “Host immune response pathways via nitric oxide signaling” is not a single molecule or receptor but describes a group of signaling mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO) regulates innate and adaptive immune functions[1][3][5]. NO is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes—primarily the inducible isoform (iNOS/NOS2) in immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils—in response to inflammatory cytokines and pathogens[1][2][3]. NO acts as a signaling and effector molecule, mediating cytotoxicity against pathogens (including DNA damage and metabolic inhibition), promoting or resolving inflammation depending on local concentration and context, and modulating immune cell recruitment and cytokine balance[1][3][5]. Despite frequent targeting of NOS and NO pathways in drug discovery for inflammation, infection, and cardiovascular indications, this term does not refer to a canonical single therapeutic target according to established molecular biology or pharmacology conventions—it is instead a signaling pathway encompassing various regulatory enzymes, mediators, and cellular responses[1][2][3][5][7]. Therefore, the submitted target is too broad and not in canonical molecular entity form. **Key Notes:** - If therapeutic targeting is needed, it is usually focused on the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2), endothelial NOS, or neuronal NOS, or downstream targets such as soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)[3][2]. - Exhaled nitric oxide is a validated biomarker for airway inflammation (such as asthma)[1]. - Safety issues mainly involve tissue toxicity, off-target vasodilation, and immune regulation disruption[5]. - The correct canonical forms for database use would be “Inducible nitric oxide synthase” (iNOS/NOS2) or “Soluble guanylate cyclase” (sGC). **Summary:** This entry represents an important biological process but does not correspond to a single, canonical molecular drug target. If a database or structured resource is being populated, consider extracting specific proteins or enzymes within this pathway, such as iNOS (NOS2)[3][1].

Other names

Nitric oxide pathway in immune responseNitric oxide immune signaling

Modulation of nitric oxide production (e.g., inhibition of NOS); Augmentation of downstream cGMP signaling; Scavenging of NO radicals