Nitric oxide in liver fibrosis: The role of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Abstract

The inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in hepatic cells in pathological conditions. Its induction is involved in the development of liver fibrosis, and thus iNOS could be a therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. This review summarizes the role of iNOS in liver fibrosis, focusing on 1) iNOS biology, 2) iNOS-expressing liver cells, 3) iNOS-related therapeutic strategies, and 4) future directions.

Keywords

• iNOS
• NO
• Liver sinusoidal endothelial cell
• Hepatic stellate cell
• Kupffer cell