Astrocytes are glial cells able to release nitric oxide (NO) under basal conditions as well as
following different neurochemical stimuli including cytokines, endotoxins and soluble
antigens, thereby participating in neuroimmune responses. In particular, the inducible
isoform of NO synthase seems to be activated during co-incubation of this cell type with
cytokines as well as in the presence of the HIV coating gp120 glycoprotein, an effect which
is associated with an enhancement of prostanoid release. This seems also to occur via …