Heme Oxygenase and the Skin in Health and Disease
October 2018
in “
Current Pharmaceutical Design
”
TLDR HO-1 helps skin health and healing but can worsen melanoma; it's a potential treatment target for skin diseases.
The document reviews the role of heme oxygenase (HO), particularly HO-1, in skin health and disease. HO-1 is involved in various skin functions and pathologies, including promoting fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation, aiding in wound healing, and protecting against oxidative stress. It has therapeutic potential for skin conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and diabetic skin complications, with studies showing that HO-1 induction can reduce inflammation and improve healing. However, HO-1 also has a dual role, as its overexpression in melanoma cells can lead to increased tumor growth and decreased survival. The enzyme's expression is influenced by oxidative stress and inflammation, and it can be induced by treatments such as Substance P and curcumin. The document suggests that while HO-1 is a promising target for skin disease treatments, more research is needed to fully understand its functions and to develop effective therapies. The skin microbiota's own HO enzymes are also identified as potential future targets for preventing or treating skin infections.
