Heme/Hemeoxygenase-1 System Is a Potential Therapeutic Intervention for COVID-19 Patients with Severe Complications

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the critical stages of COVID-19, leading to lung injury and hemolysis. Dysfunctional hemoglobin (Hb) suffers low-level oxygenation, overloaded iron, and down-regulation of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), representing potential therapeutic interventions. This Viewpoint outlines the Hb-HO-1 system as a host-cell target, and proposes possible therapies, including iron chelation and CO therapies, against COVID-19 with ARDS.