Heme oxygenase-1 is the candidate targeting for organ transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and explore the potential applications targeted on overexpression of heme oxyenase-1 gene.


METHODS
The data cited in this review were mainly obtained from the articles listed in Medline and PubMed, published from January 1996 to December 2008. The search terms were "heme oxygenase-1" and "transplantation".


METHODS
Articles regarding the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and its protective role in transplants were selected. Protective effects of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression using a gene transfer approach against ischaemic reperfusion injury during transplantation were widely explored.


RESULTS
Local heme oxygenase-1 overexpression in the graft ameliorates the ischaemic reperfusion injury. This is due to removal of heme, a potent prooxidant and proinflammatory agent, but also because of generation of biologically active products.


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpressive heme oxygenase-1 activity is associated with tissue protection in the setting of graft, ischaemic reperfusion injury. Gene therapy is attractive to us; but a long way from general application. In terms of heme oxygenase-1, the gene promoters are polymorphic. Although individualization is an important principle during clinical application, it is difficult to put into practice.
Li
Le-ping
LP
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
Zhang
Li
L
Peng
Li-pan
LP
Cheng
Li
L
D000818:Animals; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000628:therapy
D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1