New Strategy in Treatment of Diseases: Hypoxia — Inducible Factor
Serebrovskaya T. V.
Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Ukrainian National Academy of Science
Abstract
Normal tissue function in mammals depends on adequate supply of oxygen. A discrepancy between oxygen supply and consumption (hypoxia) induces a variety of specific adaptation mechanisms. These mechanisms are in part governed by the activation of hypoxiainducible transcription factors (HIF1, HIF2, HIF3). HIF1α is activated at physiologically relevant oxygen levels, ensuring fast and adequate response to hypoxia. HIF1α targets include genes involved in angiogenesis, vasomotor control, energy metabolism, apoptosis, innate immune defence. As a consequence of these various functions, HIF1α is also implicated in the pathophysiology of many human diseases. Delineation of HIF-hydroxylation pathways provides new targets for therapeutic intervention. There is increasing evidence that activation of HIF is protective in ischemic/hypoxic disease, Parkinson\'s disease and can generate a productive angiogenic response. A novel and essential role for HIF1α in regulation of several important polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions is described. At the same time, the inhibition of HIF1 could provide new strategy for the treatment and prophylaxis of pulmonary hypertension and high altitude edema as well as prevent alveolar epithelial cells from the destruction. Thus, the functions of HIF1α in the organism are polysemantic and demand further scrupulous investigations.
Language: russian
Summary
Serebrovskaya T. V.
New Strategy in Treatment of Diseases: Hypoxia — Inducible Factor // Electronic periodical “Herald of the International Academy of Sciences. Russian Section”, 2006. Issue #1: 29—