Complex role of heme oxygenase-1 in angiogenesis

Angiogenesis occurring during reparative or pathological processes is driven by various inflammatory mediators that influence the synthesis of growth factors. It has been recognized recently that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are important modulators of the synthesis and activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major angiogenic molecule. Moreover, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a ubiquitous stress-inducible enzyme that is induced by ROS and NO, was recently discovered to be involved in angiogenesis. Genetic overexpression of HO-1 enhanced VEGF synthesis and augmented formation of vascular capillaries, improving the blood flow in ischemic tissues. In addition, by-products of HO-1 exert numerous effects that can also influence angiogenesis in both positive and negative ways. Therefore, the antiinflammatory effects of HO-1 can attenuate the excess formation of blood vessels in inflammatory angiogenesis. In this review, the recent data on the role of HO-1 in angiogenesis are critically discussed. It is suggested that further studies using potent and specific augmentation of HO-1 gene expression by viral vectors, as well as targeted, specific inhibition of HO-1 expression, are required to elucidate fully the complex role of this enzymatic pathway in angiogenesis.     

The role of heme oxygenase-1 in pulmonary disease

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1, the inducible isoform of heme oxygenase, is a cytoprotective enzyme that plays a central role in the defense against oxidative and inflammatory insults in the lung. HO-1 catalyzes the degradation of heme, a potent oxidant, into biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide (CO). These downstream products of heme catabolism have recently been found to mediate the antioxidant, antiapoptotic, antiproliferative, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1. Although absence of HO-1 is rare in humans, a number of HO-1 promoter polymorphisms have been identified that may influence HO-1 expression in vivo and lead to disease states. This review will summarize studies that implicate HO-1 and heme metabolites in the pathophysiology of pulmonary disease and discuss recent advances in the therapeutic applications of HO-1.     

HO-1对DXR免疫反应影响的实验研究

目的 探讨HO-1对延迟性异种心脏移植免疫反应的影响。方法 应用NIH小鼠-Wistar大鼠颈部异位心脏移植模型,用CoPP（cobalt protoporphyrin,CoPP）诱导HO-1并结合免疫抑制剂Cyclosporine A（CSA）及Cyclophosphamid（CYP）处理受体。比较移植心脏存活时间并分别用免疫组化、Westem- blot蛋白印迹杂交等检测移植心脏HO-1、IL-1β、INF-γ、TNF-α和STAT-3表达,免疫组化检测并计数分析CD68细胞,比较不同处理因素之间的差异。结果 单用CoPP诱导HO-1后移植心脏存活时间较CSA组及空白对照组长（t=2．6936,P〈0．05）,CSA＋CoPP组移植心脏存活时间和CYP＋CoPP组均长于单用CSA组和CYP组（t=2．8511,P〈0．05）,CoPP＋CSA＋CYP组移植心脏存活时间优于其余任何组（t=3．8644,P〈0．001）。CoPP组TNF-α、LI-1β低于在空白对照组的表达（t=2．6364,P〈0．05）,但INF-γ除外。三者在CoPP＋CSA＋CYP组表达均低于其余各组。CoPP及CSA、CYP组间STAT-3表达无差异（t=1．0854,P〉0．05）,但均高于空白对照组（t=10．1254,P〈0．001）。CoPP与CSA及CYP联合应用时STAT-3表达高于单用CoPP组（t=2．8164,P〈0．05）,三者联合使用时高于任何组（t=2．5605,P〈0．05）。CoPP组移植心肌组织中CD68阳性细胞数低于空白对照组（t=3．1837,P〈0．01）,CoPP＋CSA＋CYP组最低（t=2．5099,P〈0．05）。结论 HO-1并联合免疫抑制剂CSA、CYP可能通过上调STAT-3蛋白表达,减少CD68细胞对移植心脏的浸润,降低心脏移植后炎症细胞因子IL-1β、TNF-α和IFN-γ的产生,并可能由此推迟了DXR的发生。     

A central role of heme oxygenase-1 in cardiovascular protection

The intrinsic defense mechanisms of the body are critical in protecting tissues from injury in response to pathological stress. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress response protein, is induced in response to various pathological stimuli to serve a cytoprotective function. By degrading the oxidant heme and generating the antioxidant bilirubin and anti-inflammatory molecule carbon monoxide, HO-1 may protect cell from injury due to oxidative and pathological stress. Oxidative stress in the heart caused by ischemia and reperfusion leads to cardiomyocyte death and subsequent myocardial infarction. Vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, graft failure, and restenosis are all associated with reactive oxygen species-induced injury and inflammation. Given that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, there is considerable interest in developing new strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. Since HO-1 is induced in the heart and blood vessels in response to various stresses, a role of HO-1 has been implicated in cardiovascular homeostasis. Numerous studies using pharmacological method or genetic approach have since demonstrated the cardiovascular protective function of HO-1. Importantly, a number of studies have associated human HO-1 gene promoter polymorphisms with risk for vascular diseases. Taken together, HO-1 has a great therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease.     

Protective functions of heme oxygenase-1 and carbon monoxide in the respiratory system

The respiratory system, including the lung and upper airways, succumbs to injury and disease through acute or chronic exposures to adverse environmental agents, in particular, those that promote increased oxidative or inflammatory processes. Cigarette smoke and other forms of particulate or gaseous air pollution, allergens, microorganisms infections, and changes in inspired oxygen may contribute to lung injury. Among the intrinsic defenses of the lung, the stress protein heme oxygenase-1 constitutes an inducible defense mechanism that can protect the lung and its constituent cells against such insults. Heme oxygenases degrade heme to biliverdin-IXalpha, carbon monoxide, and iron, each with candidate roles in cytoprotection. At low concentrations, carbon monoxide can confer similar cyto and tissue-protective effects as endogenous heme oxygenase-1 expression, involving antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiapoptotic effects. Lung protection by heme oxygenase-1 or its enzymatic reaction products has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in a number of pulmonary disease models, including acute lung injury, cigarette smoke-induced lung injury/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung diseases, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and asthma/airway inflammation. This review summarizes recent findings on the functions of heme oxygenase-1 in the respiratory system, with an emphasis on possible roles in disease progression and therapies.     

血红素加氧酶-1在心血管疾病中的作用研究新进展

血红素加氧酶-1是一种应激蛋白, 除了促进血红素代谢, 还具有抗炎、抗凋亡、抗增生和抗氧化应激等许多重要生物学作用。这一功能广泛的氧化酶系统参与心血管系统的病理生理过程,它的作用涉及血压的调控、抗动脉粥样硬化的发生发展、预防缺血/再灌注损伤和冠状动脉介入治疗后再狭窄的发生。     

Potential role of heme oxygenase-1 in the progression of rat adjuvant arthritis

Rat adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model widely used to evaluate etiopathogenetic mechanisms in chronic inflammation. We have examined the participation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in this experimental arthritis. In this study, an increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the paw preceded the upregulation of HO-1, whereas selective inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) after the onset of arthritis decreased HO-1 expression, suggesting that the induction of this enzyme may depend on NO produced by iNOS. Therapeutic administration of the HO-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX was able to control the symptoms of arthritis. This agent significantly decreased leukocyte infiltration, hyperplastic synovitis, erosion of articular cartilage and osteolysis, as well as the production of inflammatory mediators. In this experimental model, HO-1 can be involved in vascular endothelial growth factor production and angiogenesis. These results support a role for HO-1 in mediating the progression of the disease in this model of chronic arthritis.     

Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in rat ontogeny

Heme oxygenase (HO), the heme-degrading enzyme, plays an important role in heme catabolism. Among three isozymes, HO-1 is an inducible form expressed mainly in macrophages. In rat ontogeny, HO-1 immunoreactivity was detected in mononuclear cells in the yolk sac at 10 days of gestation. HO-1-expressing cells were then detected in the fetal liver and their numbers increased during the gestational period. The numbers of HO-1-positive cells and HO-1 mRNA levels in the liver peaked at 18 days of gestation. Most of the macrophages expressed both HO-1 and a macrophage scavenger receptor. Macrophages in the fetal liver showed marked hemophagocytosis. Macrophages in the lung, spleen, bone marrow, and other tissues also expressed HO-1. HO-1 immunoreactivity was also observed in syncytial cells of the chorionic villi, the endodermal layer of the yolk sac, and renal tubules of the fetus. Intestinal mucosal epithelial cells expressed HO-1 after birth. These findings imply that HO-1 is crucial for macrophages in heme catabolism from an early stage of ontogeny. HO-1 expression in non-macrophagic cells may be required for other purposes such as protection from oxidative stress and various stimuli.     

血红素加氧酶-1在铁代谢中的作用

铁是机体必需的微量元素,有着广泛的生物学作用,包括氧化运输和细胞呼吸作用,缺铁会引起细胞生长停滞或死亡,铁过载会使细胞发生氧化应激进而损伤细胞膜、蛋白质、核酸.血红素加氧酶-1(HO-1)分解血红素产生铁是铁重复利用最主要的来源,在铁代谢中的作用至关重要.     

Protective effects of heme oxygenase-1 against oxidant-induced injury in the cultured human tracheal epithelium.

To examine whether increases in heme oxygenase (HO)-1 activity have protective effects on the oxidant-induced injury of airway epithelial cells, human tracheal epithelial cells were cultured on a porous filter membrane, and electrical conductance (G) and mannitol flux across epithelial membrane were measured with Ussing's chamber methods and D-[(3)H]mannitol, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2); 1 mM) increased G with time from the baseline value of 6.0 +/- 0.6 to 17.8 +/- 0.9 mS/cm(2) at 6 h after administration (P < 0.001). Likewise, H(2)O(2) significantly increased mannitol flux through the cultured epithelium (P < 0.01). Pretreatment of cultured epithelial cells with hemin (10 microM; 8 h) or interleukin (IL)-1beta (10 ng/ml; 16 h) completely inhibited increases in G and mannitol flux induced by H(2)O(2). Tin protoporphyrin IX (50 micrometer) and zinc protoporphyrin IX (10 microM), inhibitors of HO-1, reduced hemin-induced and IL-1beta-induced inhibitory effects. Hemin treatment increased HO-1 messenger RNA expression, HO-1 protein production, and HO activity and bilirubin content as well as ferritin content in the cultured epithelial cells. Pretreatment with hemin and desferoxamine, which, like ferritin, can bind iron, inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced increases in G and mannitol permeability. Although exogenous bilirubin mimicked hemin-induced inhibitory effects, exogenous apoferritin failed to inhibit H(2)O(2)-induced effects on G and mannitol permeability. These findings suggest that HO-1 induction provides protection against H(2)O(2)-induced injury of the cultured human airway epithelial cells in part via the HO-bilirubin pathway.     

Permanent focal and transient global cerebral ischemia increase glial and neuronal expression of heme oxygenase-1, but not heme oxygenase-2, protein in rat brain

Two heme oxygenase (HO) proteins have been identified to date; HO-1, a stress-induced protein, and HO-2, a constitutively expressed isoform. Recently, it was demonstrated that HO-1 mRNA expression is increased following transient global ischemia. The present study examined the effects of global and focal ischemia on HO-1 and HO-2 protein, using immunocytochemistry. Following 20 min of ischemia (rat 4 vessel occlusion model with hypotension) and 6 h of recirculation, increased HO-1 immunoreactivity was evident in hippocampal neurons. After 24 h of recirculation, HO-1 was observed in both hippocampal neurons and astroglial cells. By 72 h, expression was primarily glial and restricted to CA1 and CA3c. In addition to hippocampus, HO-1 was also evident in both neurons and glia in cerebral cortex and thalamus, and in striatal glial cells. Twenty-four hours following permanent focal ischemia, HO-1 immunoreactivity was observed in astroglial cells in the penumbra region surrounding the infarct. In contrast to HO-1, the pattern of HO-2 immunoreactivity was not altered following transient global or permanent focal ischemia. The increased expression of HO-1 following ischemia may confer protection against oxidative stress, but might also contribute to the subsequent neuronal degeneration.     

紫檀芪激活血红素加氧酶-1减轻小鼠脑缺血再灌注后线粒体氧化损伤

目的:探索紫檀芪(pterostilbene,PTE)对小鼠脑缺血再灌注(IR)后线粒体氧化损伤的作用及可能机制。方法:通过双侧颈总动脉阻断法建立小鼠脑IR模型,腹腔注射PTE或Zn PP(血红素加氧酶-1抑制剂),动物随机均分为IR组、PTE+IR组、PTE+Zn PP+IR组、Zn PP+IR组,并且PTE有2.5 mg/kg、5 mg/kg、10 mg/kg三个剂量组。然后,进行神经功能评分;通过干湿比重法测定脑水肿;火焰光度法测定Na~+含量;Neu N和TUNEL法测定细胞存活和凋亡;通过线粒体膜电位(MMP)、线粒体活性氧(ROS)产物和线粒体复合物I和IV活性测定来检测线粒体的氧化应激损伤;通过Western Blot检测血红素加氧酶-1(HO-1)、NADPH醌氧化还原酶-1(NQO1)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)、线粒体和胞浆细胞色素c蛋白的表达。结果:PTE可以提高小鼠的神经功能评分、减轻脑水肿和降低脑Na~+含量。PTE上调HO-1、NQO1和GST的表达,提高MMP、线粒体复合体I/IV活性和线粒体细胞色素c水平,减少线粒体ROS产物和降低胞浆细胞色素c水平,并且有一定的剂量依赖性。但是,PTE的这些作用可以被HO-1的抑制剂Zn PP逆转。结论:在脑IR模型小鼠,PTE通过激活HO-1信号减轻线粒体氧化应激损伤和细胞死亡,从而发挥脑保护作用。     

血红素加氧酶-1的抗肿瘤细胞凋亡作用研究进展

血红素加氧酶-1(heme oxygenase-1,HO-1)是血红素分解的关键酶,其促进血红素分解释放胆绿素、CO和亚铁离子。HO-1在机体内发挥多种生物学功能,主要有减轻炎症反应、降低氧化损伤、抑制细胞凋亡以及调节细胞增殖。随着研究的不断深入,HO-1与肿瘤的相关性研究逐渐增多,表明其与肿瘤关系密切,参与调控肿瘤细胞凋亡、增殖等过程。本文主要就HO-1蛋白与肿瘤细胞凋亡的相关性作一综述。     

Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in atherosclerotic lesions.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a heme-degradation enzyme induced under various oxidative stress conditions. To elucidate the potential involvement of HO-1 in atherogenesis, the expression of this enzyme in atherosclerotic lesions of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and humans were examined. Both immunostaining and in situ hybridization clearly demonstrated that the expression of HO-1 was prominent in endothelium and foam cells/macrophages of thickened intima in lesions from both humans and experimental animals. The expression of this enzyme was also detected in medial smooth muscle cells of advanced lesions. The induction of HO-1 mRNA was observed in murine peritoneal macrophages after treatment with oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) but not with native LDL in a dose-dependent manner. Time course study demonstrated that the induction was prominent at 3 hours, reached a maximal induction at 6 hours, and remained evident up to 24 hours after oxidized LDL treatment. The degree of induction was in concordant with the extent of oxidation in the LDL preparation. Lysophosphatidylcholine, one of the major components present in oxidized LDL, was ineffective to induce the gene expression, suggesting that other lipophilic substances derived from LDL oxidation are responsible for the induction of HO-1. These results clearly demonstrate that HO-1 is one of the stress proteins expressed in atherosclerotic lesions.     

诱导HO-1基因表达的信号通路

血红素氧合酶（HO）的诱导型HO-1与其催化血红素降解生成的产物胆红素和CO一道，组成了机体重要的内源性保护系统，广泛参与抗炎与多种急慢性氧化应激损伤。多种理化因素通过不同的细胞内信号转导通路诱导HO-1的表达，这些信号通路涉及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPKs）、蛋白激酶C(PKC)、cAMP依赖的蛋白激酶A(PKA)、cGMP依赖蛋白激酶G（PKG）、酪氨酸蛋白激酶（TPK）、蛋白磷酸酶（PPs）、磷脂酰肌醇（-3）激酶（PI3K）/Akt     

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 expression inhibits platelet-dependent thrombosis

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a key role in protecting tissue from oxidative stress. Although some studies implicate HO-1 in modulating thrombosis after vascular injury, the impact of HO-1 on the rate of clot formation in vivo is poorly defined. This study examined the potential function of HO-1 in regulating platelet-dependent arterial thrombosis. Platelet-rich thrombi were induced in C57BL/6J mice by applying 10% ferric chloride to the exposed carotid artery. Mean occlusion time of wild-type mice (n = 10) was 14.6 +/- 1.0 min versus 12.9 +/- 0.6 min for HO-1-/- mice (n = 11, p = 0.17). However, after challenge with hemin, mean occlusion time was significantly longer in wild-type mice (16.3 +/- 1.2 min, n = 15) than HO-1-/- mice (12.0 +/- 1.0 min, n = 9; p = 0.021). Hemin administration induced an approximately twofold increase in oxidative stress, measured as plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hemin induced a robust increase in HO-1 expression within the carotid arterial wall. Ex vivo blood clotting within a collagen-coated perfusion chamber was studied to determine whether the accelerated thrombosis observed in HO-1-/- mice was contributed to by effects on the blood itself. Under basal conditions, mean clot formation during perfusion of blood over collagen did not differ between wild-type mice and HO-1-/- mice. However, after hemin challenge, mean clot formation was significantly increased in HO-1-/- mice compared with wild-type controls. These results suggest that, under basal conditions, HO-1 does not exert a significant effect on platelet-dependent clot formation in vivo. However, under conditions that stimulate HO-1 production, platelet-dependent thrombus formation is inhibited by HO-1. Enhanced HO-1 expression in response to oxidative stress may represent an adaptive response mechanism to down-regulate platelet activation under prothrombotic conditions.     

The indispensability of heme oxygenase-1 in protecting against acute heme protein-induced toxicity in vivo

Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme, and its isozyme, HO-1, may protect against tissue injury. One posited mechanism is the degradation of heme released from destabilized heme proteins. We demonstrate that HO-1 is a critical protectant against acute heme protein-induced toxicity in vivo. In the glycerol model of heme protein toxicity-one characterized by myolysis, hemolysis, and kidney damage-HO-1 is rapidly induced in the kidney of HO-1 +/+ mice as the latter sustain mild, reversible renal insufficiency without mortality. In stark contrast, after this insult, HO-1 -/- mice exhibit fulminant, irreversible renal failure and 100% mortality; HO-1 -/- mice do not express HO-1, and evince an eightfold increment in kidney heme content as compared to HO-1 +/+ mice. We also demonstrate directly the critical dependency on HO-1 in protecting against a specific heme protein, namely, hemoglobin: doses of hemoglobin which exert no nephrotoxicity or mortality in HO-1 +/+ mice, however, precipitate rapidly developing, acute renal failure and marked mortality in HO-1 -/- mice. We conclude that the induction of HO-1 is an indispensable response in protecting against acute heme protein toxicity in vivo.     

Heme oxygenase-1 modulates early inflammatory responses: evidence from the heme oxygenase-1-deficient mouse

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is protective in tissue injury in models of allograft rejection and vascular inflammation through either prevention of oxidative damage or via immunomodulatory effects. To examine the specific role of HO-1 in modulating the immune response, we examined the differences in immune phenotype between HO-1 knockout (HO-1(-/-)) and wild-type (HO-1(+/+)) mice. Consistent with previous findings, marked splenomegaly and fibrosis were observed in HO-1(-/-) mice. The lymph nodes of HO-1-deficient mice demonstrated a relative paucity of CD3- and B220-positive cells, but no such abnormalities were observed in the thymus. Flow cytometric analysis of isolated splenocytes demonstrated no differences in the proportions of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes or monocytes/macrophages between the HO-1(-/-) and HO-1(+/+) mice. Significantly higher baseline serum IgM levels were observed in HO-1(-/-) versus HO-1(+/+) mice. Under mitogen stimulation with either lipopolysaccharide or anti-CD3/anti-CD28, HO-1(-/-) splenocytes secreted disproportionately higher levels of pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokines as compared to those from HO-1(+/+) mice. These findings demonstrate significant differences in the immune phenotype between the HO-1(-/-) and the HO-1(+/+) mice. The absence of HO-1 correlates with a Th1-weighted shift in cytokine responses suggesting a general pro-inflammatory tendency associated with HO-1 deficiency.     

Heme oxygenase-1: unleashing the protective properties of heme

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 catabolizes heme into three products: carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin (which is rapidly converted to bilirubin) and free iron (which leads to the induction of ferritin, an iron-binding protein). HO-1 serves as a "protective" gene by virtue of the anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative actions of one or more of these three products. Administration of CO, biliverdin, bilirubin or iron-binding compounds is protective in rodent disease models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, allograft and xenograft survival, intimal hyperplasia following balloon injury or as seen in chronic graft rejection and others. We suggest that the products of HO-1 action could be valuable therapeutic agents and speculate that HO-1 functions as a "therapeutic funnel", mediating the beneficial effects attributed to other molecules, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2; iNOS) and prostaglandins. This Review is the third in a series on the regulation of the immune system by metabolic pathways.