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A Deficiency in Heme Oxygenase-1 Induces Fetal Growth Restriction by Placental Vasculature Defects
Acta Pediatrica, 05/24/2012
Wong RJ et al. – The authors conclude that Heme oxygenase–1 (HO–1) plays an important role in placental vasculature development and a deficiency in HO–1 may contribute to pregnancy complications, such as pre–eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, and premature births.
- Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, plays a role in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis and is highly expressed in the placenta.
- Deficiencies in HO-1 are associated with several pregnancy disorders, such as recurrent miscarriages and pre-eclampsia.
- The unique combination of tissue protective, smooth muscle relaxing, and angiogenesis regulatory properties makes HO-1 a key player in the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy through a direct effect on placental structural and vascular development, and thus affecting fetal development.
