Heme oxygenase-1 modulates fetal growth in the rat

Lab Invest. 2002 Jun;82(6):687-92. doi: 10.1097/01.lab.0000017167.26718.f2.

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality as well as with lifelong cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Deficiency of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) is associated with growth restriction in mice and in humans, suggesting a role for HO-1 in fetal growth and maintenance of pregnancy. We hypothesized that modulation of HO-1 in the pregnant rat would alter fetal growth. In pregnant dams, placental HO activity was significantly inhibited with zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4 bis glycol, and HO-1 protein was increased by transducing adenoviral human HO-1. Inhibition of HO-1 by zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4 bis glycol resulted in a significant decrease in pup size, whereas transfection with hHO-1 resulted in increased pup size. Furthermore, the expression of IGF binding protein-1 and its receptor paralleled the expression of HO-1 in the placenta and were significantly modulated by modification of HO-1 along with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. These observations demonstrate that HO-1 modulates fetal growth by its effects on placental growth factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Deuteroporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Fetal Weight / drug effects
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / genetics
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / metabolism*
  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Lymphokines / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Placenta / drug effects
  • Placenta / enzymology
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Deuteroporphyrins
  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1
  • Lymphokines
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • zinc deuteroporphyrin IX 2,4-bis(glycol)
  • HMOX1 protein, human
  • Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)
  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1