The role of Gch1 and Nos2 in the macrophage response to BCG infection

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a crucial role in controlling growth of mycobacteria, presumed to be via nitric oxide (NO) mediated killing. However, NOS enzymes can also signal through NO-independent pathways, and production of NO by NOS requires the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). We compared Nos2-/- mice to mice with macrophage BH4 deficiency (Gch1fl/flTie2cre), due to a leukocyte-specific deletion of Gch1, to uncover the specific contribution of NO-independent NOS functions to anti-mycobacterial immunity.

31