Heme oxygenase is induced in nephrotoxic nephritis and hemin, a stimulator of heme oxygenase synthesis, ameliorates disease

Heme oxygenase and atherosclerosis.

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species under pathophysiological conditions, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, is integral in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The reactive oxygen species released from all types of vascular cells regulate various signaling pathways that mediate not only vascular inflammation in atherogenesis but also antioxidative an...

Infection via Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction Hemin Activation Ameliorates HIV-1

Microsomal Heme Oxygenase

This study characterizes microsomal heme oxygenase, a previously undescribed enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of heme at the cr-methene bridge to form biliverdin. This step is then coupled with soluble NADPH-dependent biliverdin reductase to form bilirubin; microsomal heme oxygenase is rate-limiting in this pathway. By all analytical criteria, the product of this reaction is bilirubin. Most...

Heme oxygenase-1 expression in disease states.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme degradation resulting in the formation of iron, carbon monoxide and biliverdin, which is subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. The biological effects exerted by the products of this enzymatic reaction have gained much attention. The anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective functi...

How Heme Oxygenase-1 Prevents Heme-Induced Cell Death

Earlier observations indicate that free heme is selectively toxic to cells lacking heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) but how this enzyme prevents heme toxicity remains unexplained. Here, using A549 (human lung cancer) and immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells incubated with exogenous heme, we find knock-down of HO-1 using siRNA does promote the accumulation of cell-associated heme and heme-induce...