Therapeutic Significance of Heme Oxygenase Induction or Inhibition

Dear colleagues,

A heme oxygenase (HO) system consists of two different isoforms, HO-1, the inducible form, and HO-2, the constitutive form. Both isozymes catalyze the rate-limiting step in heme degradation, resulting in the formation of biliverdin with the concurrent release of carbon monoxide (CO) and iron. HO-1 induction by drugs, polyphenols, and a variety of stimuli, such as low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, is mediated by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). HO plays a key role as a cytoprotective system and as an endogenous antioxidant system by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing apoptosis during stress conditions. However, recently, it has been shown that a HO system may possess important biological functions beyond its enzymatic activity. The up-regulation of HO-1 and its cellular localization could presumably reduce the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of several cancers.

Prof. Luca Vanella
Dr. Marco Raffaele
Guest Editors

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