Role of NO in Disease: Good, Bad or Ugly–Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous molecule with a wide variety of physiological functions, led to the awarding of the 1998 Nobel Prize. L-Arginine is a precursor for NO synthesis. NO is a reactive molecule with unpaired electrons, a ubiquitous signaling molecule, and able to interact with molecular oxygen and superoxide radicals. Endothelial cells are the largest source of NO production.

The antiviral effects of NO have attracted considerable interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. NO impedes the binding of SARS-CoV-2 to the ACE2 receptor and counteracts viral replication. Compromised production or bioavailability of NO is associated with both arterial and venous thrombi, a frequent consequence of COVID-19.

Given the multitude of powerful biological effects of NO, several attempts have been made to utilize this radical as a therapeutic agent, mainly in pulmonary hypertension. Administration of NO has focused on inhalation, which may cause the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the pulmonary vasculature. Vasodilation results in improved perfusion to ventilated areas of lung, thereby improving oxygenation and reducing intrapulmonary shunting.

However, NO is potentially harmful, since its oxidation products are toxic and may contribute to tissue damage in certain disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). Additional pitfalls include systemic hypotension and the extremely short half-life of NO.

The focus of this Special Issue of Biomedicines is on nitric oxide, in terms of

• Defense;
• Challenge;
• Harm.

In other words, the good, bad and ugly sides of NO.

Dr. Mats B. Eriksson
Prof. Dr. Anders O. Larsson
Guest Editors

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• acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• COVID-19
• endothelium
• hypertension
• nitric oxide
• neurotransmitter
• oxidative stress
• pulmonary
• reactive oxygen species
• vasodilation