Λεξικό .. Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is a gaseous mediator, endogenously produced in the human airways. with similar physiological properties as NO. CO is mainly generated by the conversion of heme to biliverdin, free iron and CO. The rate-limiting enzyme for this process, heme oxygenase (HO), exists in two major isoforms: HO-1, an inducible form, and HO-2, a constitutively expressed form. The presence of both isoforms has been demonstrated throughout the respiratory tract and the relation between HO and CO production has been established within the airways. Increased CO production has been demonstrated during airway inflammation and CO as well as hemin, a substrate for CO producing enzymes, has been shown to affect neutrophil migration.

References 

Andersson J. A. et al: Hemin, a heme oxygenase substrate analog, inhibits the cell surface expression of CD11b and CD66b on human neutrophils. Allergy 2002:57(8):718.