Heme oxygenase-1 is associated with the neurofibrillary pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
Heme oxygenase-1 is an important enzyme that degrades heme, a pro-oxidant, leading to the formation of antioxidant molecules. In this study we demonstrate by immunocytochemistry close association of heme oxygenase-1 with Alzheimer neurofibrillary pathology and with the neurofibrillary tangles found in progressive supranuclear palsy and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. In Alzheimer's disease, using two different rabbit antisera against heme oxygenase-1 protein, we localized, using immunocytochemical methods, heme oxygenase-1 to neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaque neurites, granulovacuolar degeneration, and neuropil threads. Only light background staining was seen in young controls and sporadic lesion-related immunoreactivity in age-matched controls. The increase in heme oxygenase-1 protein in association with the neurofibrillary pathology of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases characterized by neurofibrillary tangles supports the notion that the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of neurofibrillary pathology.
Smith
M A
MA
Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
Kutty
R K
RK
Richey
P L
PL
Yan
S D
SD
Stern
D
D
Chader
G J
GJ
Wiggert
B
B
Petersen
R B
RB
Perry
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D016874:Neurofibrillary Tangles / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009454:Neurofibrils / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology
D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)