Heme oxygenase-1 is the candidate targeting for organ transplantation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the role of heme oxyenase-1 in organ transplantation and explore the potential applications targeted on overexpression of heme oxyenase-1 gene.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>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".</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>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.</p>