Biography
Biography: B Y Chin
Abstract
Inflammation and immunity result in a wide range of disease processes, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, vascular thrombosis and sepsis. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a key enzyme that is indispensable for the temporal and spatial regulation of host response and together with its essential metabolite carbon monoxide (CO), is crucial for maintaining homeostasis, inhibition of inflammation and the preservation of function and life. Of the numerous physiologic effects observed with CO, in the last 5 years, it has become apparent that CO has been ascribed an additional novel, yet innate role as a “bactericidal agent”. Its role in the maintenance of homeostasis remains intact, however, the designation necessitates the paradoxical induction of the inflammatory response and binding to hemo-proteins in order to restore physiological balance and sustain life. In this presentation we will review and discuss recent reports that have propelled and possible establish the paradoxical use of CO, once viewed as a toxic molecule, now as a host defense molecule agent against pathogens.
