Immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in reversible endotoxic shock studied by a novel monoclonal antibody against rat iNOS.

An antirat monoclonal antibody (mAb) against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), ANOS11, was used for immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of iNOS in various organs and tissues of adult rats in experimental endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. The phenotype of iNOS-expressed cells was also examined immunohistochemically using various mAbs. In control rats, very few cells were positive for ANOS11 except in the thymus. After intravenous injection of LPS, the number of iNOS-positive cells increased rapidly in almost all organs, except the thymus and brain, peaked 6 h after the injection, and decreased slowly. Of the numerous inflammatory cells that infiltrated the lungs, liver, and spleen after LPS injection, many were positive for ANOS11. Besides inflammatory cells, hepatocytes and endothelial cells of the aorta were also positive for ANOS11 but only around 6 h after injection. The cellular composition of iNOS-positive infiltrated cells changed along with the progression of endotoxic shock. At 4 to 6 h after injection, most iNOS-positive cells were considered polymorphonuclear leukocytes judging by their positive reactivity to OX42 and their nuclear morphology. The population of iNOS-positive macrophages positive for ED1 or ED2 increased with time. After 24 h, many iNOS-positive macrophages were found around the focal necrosis in the liver and spleen. These results indicate that the expression of iNOS in neutrophils, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes precedes that of macrophages in experimental endotoxic shock. The expression of iNOS in various cells and organs is closely associated with the progress and pathological changes of endotoxic shock.