Heme oxygenase-1 is critically involved in placentation, spiral artery remodeling, and blood pressure regulation during murine pregnancy.

The onset of pregnancy implies the appearance of a new organ, the placenta. One main function of the placenta is to supply oxygen to the fetus via hemoproteins. In this review, we highlight the importance of the enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) for pregnancy to be established and maintained.

Effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor on traumatic brain injury.

Purpose: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional protein with antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic and neurogenic properties. The effect of PEDF on traumatic brain injury (TBI) has not been explored. In this study, we aimed to show the in vivo effects of PEDF on lesion volume, cell death and cell proliferation after TBI.

Augmentation and repair tissue formation of the nucleus pulposus after partial nucleotomy in a rabbit model.

Disc degeneration alters disc height and mechanics of the spinal column and is associated with lower back pain. In preclinical studies gel-like materials or resorbable polymer-based implants are frequently used to rebuild the nucleus pulposus, aiming at tissue regeneration and restoration of tissue function. To compare the outcome of tissue repair, freeze-dried resorbable polyglycolic acid-hyaluronan (PGA/HA) implants without any bioactive components or bioactivated fibrin (fibrin-serum) was used in a degenerated disc disease model in New Zealand white rabbits.

Hormonal Fluctuations during the Estrous Cycle Modulate Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in the Uterus.

Deletion of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (Hmox1) locus in mice results in intrauterine lethality. The expression of the heme catabolizing enzyme encoded by this gene, namely HO-1, is required to successfully support reproductive events. We have previously observed that HO-1 acts at several key events in reproduction ensuring pregnancy.

Blockage of heme oxygenase-1 abrogates the protective effect of regulatory T cells on murine pregnancy and promotes the maturation of dendritic cells.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in fetal protection. They expand during normal pregnancy and protect fetal antigens from maternal effector cells. Their effect is associated with the up-regulation of tolerance-associated molecules at the fetal-maternal interface.