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Nitric oxide triggers mammary gland involution after weaning: remodelling is delayed but not impaired in mice lacking inducible nitric oxide synthase.

During mammary gland involution, different signals are required for apoptosis and tissue remodelling. To explore the role of NO in the involution of mammary tissue after lactation, NOS2 (inducible nitric oxide synthase)-KO (knockout) mice were used. No apparent differences were observed between NOS2-KO and WT (wild-type) animals during pregnancy and lactation. However, upon cessation of lactation, a notable delay in involution was observed, compared with WT mice. NOS2-KO mice showed increased phosphorylation of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 5 during weaning, concomitant with increased beta-casein mRNA levels when compared with weaned WT glands, both hallmarks of the lactating period. In contrast, activation of STAT3, although maximal at 24 h after weaning, was significantly reduced in NOS2-KO mice. STAT3 and NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB) signalling pathways are known to be crucial in the regulation of cell death and tissue remodelling during involution. Indeed, activation of both STAT3 and NF-kappaB was observed in WT mice during weaning, concomitant with an increased apoptotic rate. During the same period, less apoptosis, in terms of caspase 3 activity, was found in NOS2-KO mice and NF-kappaB activity was significantly reduced when compared with WT mice. Furthermore, the activation of the NF-kappaB signalling pathway is delayed in NOS2-KO mice when compared with WT mice. These results emphasize the role of NO in the fine regulation of the weaning process, since, in the absence of NOS2, the switching on of the cascades that trigger involution is hindered for a time, retarding apoptosis of the epithelial cells and extracellular matrix remodelling.