Induction of heme oxygenase-1 in factor VIII-deficient mice reduces the immune response to therapeutic factor VIII

Blood. 2010 Apr 1;115(13):2682-5. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-04-216408. Epub 2009 Nov 4.

Abstract

Replacement therapy with exogenous factor VIII (FVIII) to treat hemorrhages induces anti-FVIII inhibitory immunoglobulin G in up to 30% of patients with hemophilia A. Chronic inflammation associated with recurrent bleedings is a proposed risk factor for FVIII inhibitor development. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress-inducible enzyme with potent anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we demonstrate that induction of HO-1 before FVIII administration drastically reduces the onset of the anti-FVIII humoral immune response. The protective effect was specific for HO-1 because it was reproduced on administration of the end products of HO-1 activity, carbon monoxide, and bilirubin, and prevented by the pharmacologic inhibition of HO-1 using tin mesoporphyrin IX. HO-1 induction was associated with decreased major histocompatibility complex class II expression by splenic antigen-presenting cells and reduced T-cell proliferation. Triggering the endogenous anti-inflammatory machinery before FVIII administration may represent a novel therapeutic option for preventing the development of FVIII inhibitors in hemophilia A patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Factor VIII / immunology
  • Factor VIII / therapeutic use*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / biosynthesis
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / genetics
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / physiology*
  • Hemin / administration & dosage*
  • Hemin / pharmacology
  • Hemin / therapeutic use
  • Hemophilia A / drug therapy
  • Hemophilia A / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Inflammation
  • Isoantibodies / biosynthesis*
  • Isoantibodies / immunology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Isoantibodies
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • tin mesoporphyrin
  • Hemin
  • F8 protein, human
  • Factor VIII
  • Heme Oxygenase-1
  • Hmox1 protein, mouse