Inducible nitric oxide synthase regulates macrophage polarization via the MAPK signals in concanavalin A‐induced hepatitis

INTRODUCTION: Acute liver inflammatory reactions contribute to many health problems; thus, it is critical to understand the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of acute hepatitis. In this study, an experimental in vivo model of concanavalin A (ConA)‐induced hepatitis was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 (wild‐type, WT) or inducible nitric oxide synthase‐deficient (iNOS(−) (/−)) mice were injected with PBS or 15 mg/kg ConA via tail vein. Detection of liver injury by histological examination and apoptosis, and flow cytometry to detect the effect of immune cells on liver injury. RESULTS: iNOS(−) (/−) mice had lower levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, suggesting that they were protected against ConA‐induced pathological liver injury and that iNOS participated in the regulation of hepatitis. Furthermore, iNOS deficiency was found to lower CD86 expression and suppressed the messenger RNA levels of inflammatory factors in the liver. In vitro experiments also demonstrated that iNOS deficiency suppressed the sequential phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway cascade, thereby inhibiting the M1 polarization of macrophages and consequently suppressing the transcription of inflammation factors. CONCLUSION: iNOS may contribute to ConA‐induced inflammation by promoting the activation of proinflammatory macrophages.