title: A deficiency in haem oxygenase-1 induces foetal growth restriction by placental vasculature defects.
abstract: Haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in haem degradation, plays a role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and is highly expressed in the placenta. Deficiencies in HO-1 are associated with several pregnancy disorders, such as recurrent miscarriages and pre-eclampsia. The unique combination of tissue protective, smooth muscle relaxing and angiogenesis regulatory properties makes HO-1 a key player in the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy through a direct effect on placental structural and vascular development, thus affecting foetal development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, we conclude that HO-1 plays an important role in placental vasculature development and a deficiency in HO-1 may contribute to pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions and premature births.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5208, USA. rjwong@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1