Heme oxygenase-1 inhibits apoptosis in Caco-2 cells via activation of Akt pathway

Heme-oxygenase-1-induced protection against hypoxia/reoxygenation is dependent on biliverdin reductase and its interaction with PI3K/Akt pathway

“…However, the possibility that HO-1 may also function as a protein kinase capable of phosphorylating PI3K/ Akt is an intriguing prospect that merits further investigation. In this regard, HO-1 was recently reported to inhibit apoptosis of Caco-2 cells via activation of Akt [41]. Interestingly, the effects of HO-1 on Akt activity and cell survival in this colon cancer cell line were mimicked by exogenous bilirubin, analogous to our current findings in H9c2 cells exposed to hypoxia and reoxygenation.…”

Vitamin K3 Analogs Induce Selective Tumor Cytotoxicity in Neuroblastoma

“…15,16) The overexpression of HO-1 has been reported to augment apoptosis in breast cancer 17) and astroglia, 18) and our present data support a facilitatory role of HO-1 in apoptosis. Alternatively, the anti-apoptotic effects of HO-1 have been reported colon cancer, 19) thyroid cancer, 20) and gastric cancer. 21) These contradictory data are related to the effect of HO-1 on apoptosis and suggest that the final output does not depend on HO-1 alone, but is rather determined by a mutual balance of several players.…”

Heme oxygenase-1 induction modulates microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression and prostaglandin E2 production in osteoarthritic chondrocytes

“…Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced by oxidative stress (reviewed in [13]) and can inhibit apoptosis in several cell types such as T cells [14,15], endothelial cells [16] Page 5 of 38 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 5 and enterocytes [17]. In human OA chondrocytes, HO-1 induction by low doses of sodium nitroprusside has been shown to protect against apoptosis induced by high doses of this agent [18].…”