HEME OXYGENASE-1 IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEUROFIBRILLARY PATHOLOGY OF ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Heme oxygenase-1 is am important enzyme that degrades heme, a pro-oxid ant, leading to the formation of antioxidant molecules. In this sherry we demonstrate by immunocytochemistry close association of heme oxyge nase-1 with Alzheimer neurofibrillary pathology and with the neurofibr illary tangles found is progressive supranuclear palsy and subacute sc lerosing panencephalitis. In Alzheimer's disease, using two different rabbit antisera against heme oxygenase-1 protein, we localized, using immunocytochemical methods, heme oxygenase-1 to neurofibrillary tangle s, senile plaque neurites, granulovacuolar degeneration, and neuropil threads. Only light background staining was seen ill young controls an d sporadic lesion-related immunoreactivity in age-matched controls. Th e increase in heme oxygenase-1 protein in association with the neurofi brillary pathology of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases character ized by neurofibrillary tangles supports the notion that the generatio n of free radicals and oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenes is of neurofibrillary pathology.