title: Anti-inflammatory actions of the heme oxygenase-1 pathway.
abstract: Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is induced by oxidative or nitrosative stress, cytokines and other mediators produced during inflammatory processes, likely as part of a defence system in cells exposed to stress to provide a negative feedback for cell activation and the production of mediators, which could modulate the inflammatory response. HO-1 activity results in the inhibition of oxidative damage and apoptosis, with significant reductions in inflammatory events including edema, leukocyte adhesion and migration, and production of inflammatory cytokines. HO-1 is induced by nitric oxide (NO) in different biological systems and can control the increased production of this mediator observed in many inflammatory situations. Regulatory interactions between HO-1 and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways have also been reported. Modulation of signal transduction pathways by HO-1 or products derived from its activity, such as carbon monoxide (CO), may mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of this protein. Regulation of HO-1 activity may be a therapeutical strategy for a number of inflammatory conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Spain; maria.j.alcaraz@uv.es
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Guillén
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000502:physiology*; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C496541:HMOX1 protein, human; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1