Heme oxygenase-1 in neovascularisation: A diabetic perspective

Neovascularisation is crucial both for physiological processes, like development, wound healing, tissue regeneration, hair growth or menstrual cycle, and for pathological states, such as tumour progression, retinopathy and psoriasis. Blood vessel formation is orchestrated by numerous pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors, acting together to keep tight rein on this complicated, desirable but also dangerous process. One of the proteins important for neovascularisation is heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an enzyme degrading heme. This review focuses on the role of HO-1 in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, having a closer look at the significance of this system in diabetes.