Role of Carbon Monoxide in Traumatic Brain Injury Repair

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous molecule produced from heme by heme oxygenase (HO). CO production at low concentrations is thought to have several useful biological roles in pathophysiological conditions. In mammals, a proper neurovascular unit comprising endothelial cells, pericytes, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons is essential for the homeostasis and survival of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, the repair of neurovascular systems after CNS diseases such as traumatic brain injury may be responsible for functional recovery. CO/HO may enhance cellular networks in neurovascular unit. The cellular mechanisms and interactions by which CO/HO are exploited for therapeutic application in traumatic brain injury. Our current study is focused on the possible role of CO/HO in the neurovascular unit in terms of neurogenesis, oligodendrocytes, angiogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to behavioral changes in traumatic brain injury.