Haptoglobin in lung defence.
Haptoglobin (Hp) has been known to be associated with the host defence response to infection and inflammation. The biological functions of Hp can be related to its ability to bind haemoglobin or to modulate immune response. Hp is expressed at a high level in lung cells, yet its protective role(s) in the lung is not known. Using transgenic mice overexpressing Hp, we demonstrated that Hp can reduce blood-induced lung injury. Hp-mediated haemoglobin catabolism in lung cells appears to be linked to iron mobilization, and may be an efficient mechanism to reduce oxidative damage associated with haemolysis.
Yang
F
F
Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre, San Antonio 78229, USA. yangf@uthscsa.edu
Haile
D J
DJ
Coalson
J J
JJ
Ghio
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism
D006242:Haptoglobins