The absence of Df and AP activation is protective against the development of proliferative renal disease in MRL/lpr mice suggesting the similar effect of Bf deficiency in MRL/lpr mice was also due to the lack of AP activation.

The cellular content of heme, derived from the breakdown of heme proteins, is regulated via the heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme system. HO catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme degradation resulting in the formation of iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin. Recent studies have focused on the biologic effects of product(s) of this reaction, which have important antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. Two isoforms of the HO enzyme have been described: an inducible isoform (HO-1) and a constitutively expressed isoform (HO-2). Induction of HO-1 occurs as a beneficial response to several injurious stimuli and has been implicated in many clinically relevant disease states including sepsis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and acute lung and kidney injury. This review focuses on the role of HO-1 in kidney diseases.

Background Significant numbers of patients in the USA and UK die while waiting for solid organ transplant. Only 1–2% of deaths are eligible as donors with a fraction of the deceased donating organs. The form of consent to donation may affect the organs available. Forms of consent include: opt‐in, mandated choice, opt‐out, and organ conscription. Opt‐in and opt‐out are commonly practiced. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effect of opt‐in versus opt‐out consent on the deceased donation rate (DDR) and deceased transplantation rate (DTR). Methods Literature searches of PubMed and EMBASE between 2006 and 2016 were performed. Research studies were selected based on certain inclusion criteria which include USA, UK, and Spain; compare opt‐in versus opt‐out; primary data analysis; and reported DDR or DTR. Modeled effect on US transplant activity was conducted using public data from Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and Centers for Disease Control WONDER from 2006 to 2015. Results A total of 2400 studies were screened and six studies were included. Four studies reported opt‐out consent increases DDR by 21–76% over 5–14 years. These studies compared 13–25 opt‐out countries versus 9–23 opt‐in countries. Three studies reported opt‐out consent increases DTR by 38–83% over 11–13 years. These studies compared 22–25 opt‐out versus 22–28 opt‐in countries. Modeled opt‐out activity on the USA resulted in 4753–17,201 additional transplants annually. Conclusion Opt‐out consent increases DDR and DTR and may be useful in decreasing deaths on the waiting list in the USA and other countries. Registration number PROSPERO CRD42019098759.

Donor lung shortage has been the main reason to the increasing number of patients waiting for lung transplant. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is widely expanding technology to assess and prepare the lungs who are considered marginal for transplantation. The outcomes are encouraging and comparable to the lungs transplanted according to the standard criteria. In this article, we will discuss the history of development, the techniques and protocols of ex vivo, and the logics and rationales for ex vivo use.

Growth factors are mediators of both normal homeostasis and pathophysiology through their effects on various cellular processes. Similarly, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has a role in maintaining physiologic equilibrium, by which it can either alleviate or exacerbate disease, depending on several considerations, including amount, timing, and location of expression, as well as the disease setting. Thus, the synthesis and activities of growth factors and HO-1 are intricately regulated. Interestingly, several growth factors induce HO-1, and, conversely, HO-1 can regulate the expression of some growth factors. This review focuses on the influence of growth factors and HO-1 and potential physiologic effects of the growth factor(s)-HO-1 interaction.