Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Heme oxygenase activity, possessed by an inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and a constitutive isoform (HO-2), catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin, liberates iron, and generates carbon monoxide. First shown in acute kidney injury (AKI), HO-1 is now recognized as a protectant against diverse insults in assorted tissues. This review summarizes recent contributions to the field of HO-1 and AKI. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent findings elucidate the following: the transcriptional regulation and significance of human HO-1 in AKI; the protective effects of HO-1 in age-dependent and sepsis-related AKI, cardiorenal syndromes, and acute vascular rejection in renal xenografts; the role of heme oxygenase in tubuloglomerular feedback and renal resistance to injury; the basis for cytoprotection by HO-1; the protective properties of ferritin and carbon monoxide; HO-1 and the AKI-chronic kidney disease transition; HO-1 as a biomarker in AKI; the role of HO-1 in mediating the protective effects of specific cytokines, stem cells, and therapeutic agents in AKI; and HO-2 as a protectant in AKI. SUMMARY: Recent contributions support, and elucidate the basis for, the induction of HO-1 as a protectant against AKI. Translating such therapeutic potential into a therapeutic reality requires well tolerated and effective modalities for upregulating HO-1 and/or administering its products, which, optimally, should be salutary even when AKI is already established.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 17-24 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- acute kidney injury
- acute renal failure
- cytoprotection
- heme oxygenase-1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nephrology
- Internal Medicine