Heme Oxygenase-1: Its Therapeutic Roles in Inflammatory Diseases.
- Author:
Hyun Ock PAE
1
;
Hun Taeg CHUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: heme oxygenase-1; carbon monoxide; bilirubin/biliverdin; inflammation; nuclear factor E2-related factor-2; mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MeSH: Bilirubin; Biliverdine; Carbon Monoxide; Ferritins; Heme; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); Heme Oxygenase-1; Inflammation; Iron
- From:Immune Network 2009;9(1):12-19
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the oxidative degradation of free heme into ferrous iron, carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin (BV), the latter being subsequently converted into bilirubin (BR). HO-1, once expressed during inflammation, forms high concentrations of its enzymatic by-products that can influence various biological events, and this expression is proven to be associated with the resolution of inflammation. The degradation of heme by HO-1 itself, the signaling actions of CO, the antioxidant properties of BV/BR, and the sequestration of ferrous iron by ferritin all concertedly contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of HO-1. This review focuses on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of HO-1 actions and its roles in inflammatory diseases.
