Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research
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Proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) is characterized by increased expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS). Inhibition of iNOS with NG-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) abrogates renal disease in two models of murine PLN, but the mechanism of this effect is unknown. Reactive oxygen species have both direct and indirect pathogenic effects in inflammatory lesions and are therefore potentially an important therapeutic target in PLN. We hypothesized that inhibition of iNOS activity would reduce ROS production in murine PLN. ⋯ These findings suggest that iNOS activity is a major source of reactive oxidant stress in these models of murine PLN. Future studies will address the pathogenic role of reactive oxygen stress in PLN.