References http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/17/5/545.full.html#related-urls Article cited in: http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/17/5/545.full.html#ref-list-1 This article cites 228 articles, 79 of which can be accessed free at: service Email alerting click here top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the Collections Topic (33 articles) Molecular Physiology and Metabolism  (98 articles) Cancer and Disease Models  Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections

/pdf/molecular-imaging-in-living-subjects-seeing-fundamental-58mg35grjk.pdf

Molecular imaging in living subjects: seeing fundamental biological processes in a new light

Optical sensing of specific molecular targets and pathways deep inside living mice has become possible as a result of a number of advances. These include design of biocompatible near-infrared fluorochromes, development of targeted and activatable 'smart' imaging probes, engineered photoproteins and advances in photon migration theory and reconstruction. Together, these advances will provide new tools making it possible to understand more fully the functioning of protein networks, diagnose disease earlier and speed along drug discovery.

Shedding light onto live molecular targets

Heme oxygenases (HO) catabolize free heme, that is, iron (Fe) protoporphyrin (IX), into equimolar amounts of Fe2+, carbon monoxide (CO), and biliverdin. The stress-responsive HO-1 isoenzyme affords protection against programmed cell death. The mechanism underlying this cytoprotective effect relies on the ability of HO-1 to catabolize free heme and prevent it from sensitizing cells to undergo programmed cell death. This cytoprotective effect inhibits the pathogenesis of a variety of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.010909.105600

Mechanisms of Cell Protection by Heme Oxygenase-1

▪ Abstract To advance our understanding of biological processes as they occur in living animals, imaging strategies have been developed and refined that reveal cellular and molecular features of biology and disease in real time. One rapid and accessible technology for in vivo analysis employs internal biological sources of light emitted from luminescent enzymes, luciferases, to label genes and cells. Combining this reporter system with the new generation of charge coupled device (CCD) cameras that detect the light transmitted through the animal's tissues has opened the door to sensitive in vivo measurements of mammalian gene expression in living animals. Here, we review the development and application of this imaging strategy, in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI), together with in vivo fluorescence imaging methods, which has enabled the real-time study of immune cell trafficking, of various genetic regulatory elements in transgenic mice, and of in vivo gene transfer. BLI has been combined with fluorescen...

Advances in In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Gene Expression

The heme-heme oxygenase system has recently been recognized to possess important regulatory properties. It is tightly involved in both physiological as well as pathophysiological processes, such as cytoprotection, apoptosis, and inflammation. Heme functions as a double-edged sword. In moderate quantities and bound to protein, it forms an essential element for various biological processes, but when unleashed in large amounts, it can become toxic by mediating oxidative stress and inflammation. The effect of this free heme on the vascular system is determined by extracellular factors, such as hemoglobin/heme-binding proteins, haptoglobin, albumin, and hemopexin, and intracellular factors, including heme oxygenases and ferritin. Heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme activity results in the degradation of heme and the production of iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin. All these heme-degradation products are potentially toxic, but may also provide strong cytoprotection, depending on the generated amounts and the microenvironment. Pre-induction of HO activity has been demonstrated to ameliorate inflammation and mediate potent resistance to oxidative injury. A better understanding of the complex heme-heme

Different faces of the heme-heme oxygenase system in inflammation

http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2007/04/12/jbc.M607954200.full.pdf

Heme oxygenase-1 protein localizes to the nucleus and activates transcription factors important in oxidative stress.

Neonatal rodents are more tolerant to hyperoxia than adults. We determined whether maturational differences in lung NF-kappaB activation could account for the differences. After hyperoxic exposure (O2 > 95%), neonatal (<12 hours old) lung NF-kappaB binding was increased and reached a maximum between 8 and 16 hours, whereas in adults no changes were observed. Additionally, neonatal NF-kappaB/luciferase transgenic mice (incorporating 2 NF-kappaB consensus sequences driving luciferase gene expression) demonstrated enhanced in vivo NF-kappaB activation after hyperoxia in real time. In the lungs of neonates, there was a propensity toward NF-kappaB activation as evidenced by increased lung I-kappaB kinase protein levels, I-kappaBalpha phosphorylation, beta-transducin repeat-containing protein levels, and total I-kappaBalpha degradation. Increased lung p-JNK immunoreactive protein was observed only in the adult lung. Inhibition of pI-kappaBalpha by BAY 11-7085 resulted in decreased Bcl-2 protein levels in neonatal lung homogenates and decreased cell viability in lung primary cultures after hyperoxic exposure. Furthermore, neonatal p50-null mutant (p50(-/-)) mice showed increased lung DNA degradation and decreased survival in hyperoxia compared with WT mice. These data demonstrate that there are maturational differences in lung NF-kappaB activation and that enhanced NF-kappaB may serve to protect the neonatal lung from acute hyperoxic injury via inhibition of apoptosis.

/pdf/maturational-differences-in-lung-nf-kb-activation-and-their-40vds6gjlt.pdf

Maturational differences in lung NF-κB activation and their role in tolerance to hyperoxia

Interaction between Heme Oxygenase-1 and -2 Proteins *

Somatic cell gene transfer is a potentially useful strategy to alter lung function. However, achieving efficient transfer to the alveolar epithelium, especially in smaller animals, has not been dem...

https://www.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/ajplung.2000.278.6.L1273

HO-1 expression in type II pneumocytes after transpulmonary gene delivery

Heme oxygenase (HO), the rate-limiting enzyme in the formation of bilirubin, is expressed in the lung and may serve as an antioxidant. This enzyme results in the formation of antioxidant bile pigments and the degradation of pro-oxidant heme. We wanted to evaluate the differences in expression of HO-1, the inducible form, and HO-2, the constitutive isoenzyme, during lung maturation and document whether lung HO expression was similar to that of other antioxidant enzymes. Lung total HO activity and HO-1 and HO-2 proteins as well as HO-1 and HO-2 mRNA were evaluated in animals from 16 d of gestation (e16.5) to 2 mo of age. Heme content was also evaluated because heme is the substrate of the reaction. HO-1 mRNA was maximal at e19.5 and e20.5, whereas HO-2 mRNA was not changed throughout maturation. Lung HO-1 protein was highest on the first days of life and lowest in adults, whereas HO-2 protein was maximally expressed at postnatal d 5 and then declined to reach adult values. As to HO activity, there was a prenatal peak at e20.5, a second lesser peak at d 5, and thereafter a decline to adult values. Lung heme content was inversely correlated with HO activity or protein as the highest heme values were seen in adults with the lowest HO activity. In response to hyperoxia, HO-1 mRNA was induced only in the adult lungs. A better understanding of the maturational regulation of lung HO will define a role for HO in newborns at risk for oxygen toxicity.

/pdf/developmental-expression-of-heme-oxygenase-in-the-rat-lung-3pwcibdble.pdf

Yi-Hao Weng

Papers

Heme oxygenase-1 protein localizes to the nucleus and activates transcription factors important in oxidative stress.

Maturational differences in lung NF-κB activation and their role in tolerance to hyperoxia

Interaction between Heme Oxygenase-1 and -2 Proteins *

HO-1 expression in type II pneumocytes after transpulmonary gene delivery

Developmental Expression of Heme Oxygenase in the Rat Lung