PMC

A simplified view of inflammation-induced iNOS-derived NO production that accounts for tubal EP in humans infected with C. trachomatis. Fallopian tubes infected with C. trachomatis (a) results in the synthesis of cytokines and chemokines in epithelial cells (epi) and macrophages (b). As secretion, in turn, autocrine and paracrine up-regulation of iNOS expression (b, c) induces an inappropriate NO production (d). The excessive iNOS-derived NO production promotes tissue remodelling and scarring, leading to tubal cell damage and destruction that may contribute to the development of infection-induced tubal EP. Pharmacological tools to modulate this process might be of therapeutic relevance. sm cell, smooth muscle cell.