title: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a protective gene that prevents chronic graft dysfunction.
abstract: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress-responsive enzyme that acts during inflammatory reactions as the rate-limiting step in the catabolism of heme, yielding equimolar amounts of iron (Fe), biliverdin, and the gas carbon monoxide (CO). Expression of HO-1 regulates inflammatory and immune responses, such as those involved in the rejection of transplanted organs. We will discuss here accumulating evidence supporting the notion that expression of HO-1 in a transplanted organ can prevent its rejection. We will argue that the protective effects exerted by HO-1 are mediated to a large extent by the end products that it generates via the catabolism of heme. Better knowledge of how to enhance these protective effects is likely to help create new therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of transplanted organs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Nephrology Division, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Niels Olsen Saraiva
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Camara
authors.forename: Miguel Parreira
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1