Effect of LPS on inducible nitric oxide synthase in rat Schwann cells

Objective:To explore the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene and nitric oxide (NO) production in rat Schwann cells.Methods:Schwann cells were treated with LPS at different concentration (1,10,100 μg/ml) and at the same concentration (10 μg/ml) for different time (1,2,4,6 h). With RT-PCR and measurement of nitrite, the expression of iNOS gene and the level of nitrite in the culture medium were observed . Intracellular location of iNOS was detected under confocal microscope.Results:iNOS mRNA increased after 2 h exposure to LPS (10 μg/ml ),and peaked at 4 h. The peak of nitrite in the supernatant was at 6 h. Immunocytochemical staining indicated the expression of iNOS was located in the cytoplasm following LPS induction.Conclusion:Bacterial causative agent-LPS could induce the expression of iNOS mRNA in rat Schwann cells at transcription level and lead to the synthesis of NO. It was showed that Schwann cells may play a role for immunoregulation after inflammation in the peripheral nerve system.