Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Inflammation and Allergy

Title: Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Inflammation and Allergy

Volume: 2 Issue: 3

Author(s): Hyun-Ock Pae, Yong C. Lee and Hun-Taeg Chung

Affiliation:

Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1, carbon monoxide, bilirubin, biliverdin, heme, inflammation, allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis

Abstract: Cumulative evidence suggests that the induction of the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory heme oxygenase (HO)-1 may play a protective role in allergic inflammation. HO-1 suppresses mast cell degranulation and cytokine synthesis. The up-regulation of the HO-1 pathway has a significant protective effect against airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and hyper-responsiveness in a model of allergic asthma. Moreover, HO-1 inhibits T cell-dependent skin inflammation and differentiation and function of antigen-presenting cells. The precise underlying mechanisms for HO-1- based protection against allergic inflammation are not yet completely understood, but appear to involve the protective effects of HO-1 by-products, such as carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin/bilirubin and free iron. Among the HO-1 byproducts, CO has been shown to mimic some protective actions of HO-1 in allergic inflammations. This article reviews the latest knowledge, recent patent and studies on the protective roles and mechanisms of HO-1/CO in inflammation and allergy.

Cite this article as:

Pae Hyun-Ock, Lee C. Yong and Chung Hun-Taeg, Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Inflammation and Allergy, Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery 2008; 2 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187221308786241929