[Expression of heme oxygenase-1 and its effects in allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness].

We investigated whether an expression of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) within the lung tissue is related to allergic airway inflammation and HO-1 expression could influence airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and eosinophilia in C57BL/6 mice actively sensitized to ovalbumin. The number of HO-1 positive cells was increased in the subepithelium of the bronchi after OVA challenge and HO-1 was localized to alveolar macrophage.Zinc-protoporphyrin (Zn-PP), a competitive inhibitor of hemeoxygenase, by intraperitoneal injection clearly inhibited AHR, pulmonary eosinophilia and IL-5 and IL-13 in the lung tissue. These data indicate that the expression of HO-1 is increased within the lung tissue in allergic airway inflammation and the overexpression of HO-1 could enhanced allergic airway inflammation.