Effect of heme oxygenase-1 on vascular function and disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Heme oxygenase-1 apart from converting heme to carbon monoxide, iron and biliverdin has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antioxidant actions. The present review summarizes the most recent studies about heme oxygenase-1 involvement in atherosclerosis, neovascularization and endothelial progenitor cells biology. RECENT FINDINGS: Heme oxygenase-1 has been shown to be protective against atherosclerosis via decreasing ROS generation and proinflammatory cytokine production resulting in diminished lipid uptake and foam cell formation. Moreover, heme oxygenase-1 role in neovascularization and its involvement in response of endothelial progenitor cells to stromal cell derived factor-1 as well as endothelial cells to vascular endothelial growth factor has been stressed, recently. The detailed mechanisms of heme oxygenase-1 action in the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis as well as the involvement of Nrf2 and KLF2 transcription factors in heme oxygenase-1-dependent vascular protection are among the subjects most intensively studied, currently. SUMMARY: Recent studies underscore the critical role of heme oxygenase-1 in neovascularization, implicating heme oxygenase-1 as an attractive therapeutic target for treatment of cardiovascular disease.