ABSTRACT
Hemopexin (HPX) is a plasma protein with the strongest binding capacity to heme and widely involved in modulation of a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The main physiological function of HPX is to bind and transport free toxic heme. Recent studies indicate that HPX also plays roles of anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, immune regulation and organic protection. In addition, HPX participates in regulation of cell differentiation and extracellular matrix reconstruction. In recent years, a great deal of progress has been made in studies of the mechanisms of HPX protective effects and on possible clinical application. In the past few years, especially, a number of proteomic studies have demonstrated that HPX could be served as positive molecular biomarkers for cancers of lung, liver, kidney, colon, and uterine myoma as well as osteoarthritis. In this review, recent progress in the biochemical characteristics and function of HPX and its possible clinical applications are summarized.