Although
tuberculosis poses a significant health threat to the global population, it is a challenge to develop new and effective therapeutic strategies.
Nitric oxide (NO) and inducible
NO synthase (iNOS) are important in innate immune responses to various intracellular
bacterial infections, including mycobacterial
infections. It is generally recognized that reactive
nitrogen intermediates play an effective role in host defense mechanisms against
tuberculosis. In a murine model of
tuberculosis, NO plays a crucial role in antimycobacterial activity; however, it is controversial whether NO is critically involved in host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. Here, we review the roles of NO in host defense against murine and human
tuberculosis. We also discuss the specific roles of NO in the central nervous system and lung epithelial cells during mycobacterial
infection. A greater understanding of these defense mechanisms in human
tuberculosis will aid in the development of new strategies for the treatment of disease.