Suppression of nitric oxide production by osteopontin

摘要

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibition of the vasoactive and signal transduction agent nitric oxide (NO), and to therapeutic treatment of diseases or disorders that involve inappropriate or detrimental NO activity. The invention particularly relates to modulation of kidney function. In specific embodiments, osteopontin and a 20-amino acid fragment of osteopontin that contains an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence suppress expression of inducible NO synthase mRNA, and osteopontin suppresses the activity of constitutive NO synthase.