Hypoxia-inducible factor-1αin myocardial infarction

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF1)has a crucial function in the regulation of oxygen levels in mammalian cells,especially under hypoxic conditions.Its importance in cardiovascular diseases,particularly in cardiac ischemia,is because of its ability to alleviate cardiac dysfunction.The oxygen-responsive subunit,HIF1α,plays a crucial role in this process,as it has been shown to have cardioprotective effects in myocardial infarction through regulating the expression of genes affecting cellular survival,angiogenesis,and metabolism.Furthermore,HIF1αexpression induced reperfusion in the ischemic skeletal muscle,and hypoxic skin wounds in diabetic animal models showed reduced HIF1αexpression.Increased expression of HIF1αhas been shown to reduce apoptosis and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes during acute myocardial infarction.Genetic variations in HIF1αhave also been found to correlate with altered responses to ischemic cardiovascular disease.In addition,a link has been established between the circadian rhythm and hypoxic molecular signaling pathways,with HIF1αfunctioning as an oxygen sensor and circadian genes such as period circadian regulator 2 responding to changes in light.This editorial analyzes the relationship between HIF1αand the circadian rhythm and highlights its significance in myocardial adaptation to hypoxia.Understanding the changes in molecular signaling pathways associated with diseases,specifically cardiovascular diseases,provides the opportunity for innovative therapeutic interventions,especially in low-oxygen environments such as myocardial infarction.

Wortmannin influences hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression and glycolysis in esophageal carcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the influence of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)-HIF-1α signaling pathway on glycolysis in esophageal carcinoma cells under hypoxia. METHODS: Esophageal carcinoma cell lines Eca109 and TE13 were cultured under hypoxia environment, and the protein, m RNA and activity levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha(HIF-1α), glucose transporter 1, hexokinase-Ⅱ, phosphofructokinase 2 and lactate dehydrogenase-A were determined. Supernatant lactic acid concentrations were also detected. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was then inhibited with wortmannin, and the effects of hypoxia on the expression or activities of HIF-1α, associated glycolytic enzymes and lactic acid concentrations were observed. Esophageal carcinoma cells were then transfected with interference plasmid with HIF-1α-targeting si RNA to assess impact of the high expression of HIF-1α on glycolysis.RESULTS: HIF-1α is highly expressed in the esophageal carcinoma cell lines tested, and with decreasing levels of oxygen, the expression of HIF-1α and the associated glycolytic enzymes and the extracellular lactic acid concentration were enhanced in the esophageal carcinoma cell lines Eca109 and TE13. In both normoxia and hypoxic conditions, the level of glycolytic enzymesand the secretion of lactic acid were both reduced by wortmannin. The expression and activities of glycolytic enzymes and the lactic acid concentration in cells were reduced by inhibiting HIF-1α, especially the decreasing level of glycolysis was significant under hypoxic conditions.CONCLUSION: The PI3K/AKT pathway and HIF-1α are both involved in the process of glycolysis in esophageal cancer cells.

Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells after focal cerebral ischemia

Endogenous neural stem cells become ＂activated＂ after neuronal injury, but the activation sequence and fate of endogenous neural stem cells in focal cerebral ischemia model are little known. We evaluated the relationships between neural stem cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in a photothromobotic rat stroke model using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We also evaluated the chronological changes of neural stem cells by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine（BrdU） incorporation. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was initially increased from 1 hour after ischemic injury, followed by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α immunoreactivity was detected in the ipsilateral cortical neurons of the infarct core and peri-infarct area. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity was detected in bilateral cortex, but ipsilateral cortex staining intensity and numbers were greater than the contralateral cortex. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactive cells were easily found along the peri-infarct area 12 hours after focal cerebral ischemia. The expression of nestin increased throughout the microvasculature in the ischemic core and the peri-infarct area in all experimental rats after 24 hours of ischemic injury. Nestin immunoreactivity increased in the subventricular zone during 12 hours to 3 days, and prominently increased in the ipsilateral cortex between 3–7 days. Nestin-labeled cells showed dual differentiation with microvessels near the infarct core and reactive astrocytes in the peri-infarct area. BrdU-labeled cells were increased gradually from day 1 in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and cortex, and numerous BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the peri-infarct area and non-lesioned cortex at 3 days. BrdU-labeled cells rather than neurons, were mainly co-labeled with nestin and GFAP. Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor after ischemia made up the microenvironment to increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells. Moreover, neural precursor cells after large-scale cortical injury could be recruited from the cortex nearby infarct core and subventricular zone.

Is the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha mRNA expression activated by ethanol-induced injury, the mechanism underlying alcoholic liver disease?

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in multiple organ injury, of which alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the most common. With economic development and improvement of living standards, the incidence of diseases caused by alcohol abuse has been increasing in China, although its pathogenesis remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hypoxia in chronic ALD. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group (n=12) with a normal history and an experimental group (n=16) fed with 10 ml/ kg of 56% (vol/vol) ethanol once per day by gastric lavage for 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, blood samples were collected and then the rats were killed. Liver samples were frozen at -80 ℃ and used for RT-PCR; other liver samples were obtained for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: When the period of alcohol consumption increased, the positive rate of expression of hypoxia- inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) mRNA was more significantly elevated in the liver of the alcohol group than in the control group (P≤0.05). The HIF-1α protein located in the cytoplasm was seldom expressed in the control group, but significantly in the alcohol group (P≤0.01). CONCLUSION: HIF-1α mRNA expression was activated by ethanol-induced injury in this study, suggesting that hypoxia is involved in the underlying mechanism of ALD.

Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 alpha in Lung Cancer: a Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha（HIF-1α） plays a vital role in the initiation, evaluation and prognosis in lung cancer. The prognostic value of HIF-1α reported in diverse study remains disputable. Accordingly, a meta-analysis was implemented to further understand the prognostic role of HIF-1α in lung cancer. The relationship between HIF-1α and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of lung cancer were investigated by a meta-analysis. Pub Med and Embase were searched from their inception to January 2015 for observational studies. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of different comparisons. A total of 20 studies met the criteria. The results showed that HIF-1α expression in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues. Expression of HIF-1α in patients with squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that of patients with adenocarcinomas. Similarly, non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） patients had higher HIF-1α expression than small cell lung cancer（SCLC） patients. Moreover, lymph node metastasized tissues had higher HIF-1α expression than non-lymph node metastasized tissues. A high level HIF-1α expression was well correlated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in the NSCLC. Notably, NSCLC or SCLC patients with positive HIF-1α expression in tumor tissues had lower overall survival rate than patients with negative HIF-1α expression. It was suggested that HIF-1α expression may be a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Effect of lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha delivered by pluronic F-127 hydrogel on brachial plexus avulsion in rats

Brachial plexus avulsion often results in massive motor neuron death and severe functional deficits of target muscles. However, no satisfactory treatment is currently available. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α is a critical molecule targeting several genes associated with ischemia-hypoxia damage and angiogenesis. In this study, a rat model of brachial plexus avulsion-reimplantation was established, in which C5–7 ventral nerve roots were avulsed and only the C6 root reimplanted. Different implants were immediately injected using a microsyringe into the avulsion-reimplantation site of the C6 root post-brachial plexus avulsion. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: phosphate-buffered saline, negative control of lentivirus, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(hypoxia-inducible factor 1α overexpression lentivirus), gel(pluronic F-127 hydrogel), and gel + hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(pluronic F-127 hydrogel + hypoxia-inducible factor 1α overexpression lentivirus). The Terzis grooming test was performed to assess recovery of motor function. Scores were higher in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and gel +hypoxia-inducible factor 1α groups(in particular the gel + hypoxia-inducible factor 1α group) compared with the phosphate-buffered saline group. Electrophysiology, fluorogold retrograde tracing, and immunofluorescent staining were further performed to investigate neural pathway reconstruction and changes of neurons, motor endplates, and angiogenesis. Compared with the phosphate-buffered saline group, action potential latency of musculocutaneous nerves was markedly shortened in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and gel + hypoxia-inducible factor1α groups. Meanwhile, the number of fluorogold-positive cells and ChAT-positive neurons, neovascular area(labeled by CD31 around av ulsed sites in ipsilateral spinal cord segments), and the number of motor endplates in biceps brachii(identified by α-bungarotoxin) were all visibly increased, as well as the morphology of motor endplate in biceps brachil was clear in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and gel + hypoxia-inducible factor 1α groups. Taken together, delivery of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α overexpression lentiviral vectors mediated by pluronic F-127 effectively promotes spinal root regeneration and functional recovery post-brachial plexus avulsion. All animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Guangdong Medical University, China.

Increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha expression in rat brain tissues in response to aging

The present study observed changes in rat neural cells at various ages （3, 18, 24, and 30 months）. With age, neural cells became large and were sparsely arranged, and the number of Nissl bodies decreased. In addition, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α expression increased with increasing age in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, motor cortex, and the first subfolium, especially from 3 to 18 months. In the open-field test, grid crossing decreased with increasing age, especially from 18 months. The number of rearings reached a peak in the 18 months group, and then subsequently decreased. The results suggested that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α played an important role in the nervous system aging process.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 in cultured brain slices after oxygen-glucose deprivation

Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expressed in oligodendrocytes may trigger the repair of neuronal myelin impairment, and play a crucial role in myelin repair. Hypoxia-inducible factor la, a transcription factor, is of great significance in premature infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage There is little evidence of direct regulatory effects of hypoxia-inducible factor le on oligodendrocyte lineage gene-l. In this study, brain slices of Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Then, slices were transfected with hypoxia-inducible factor la or oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor la and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 were significantly up-regulated in rat brains prior to transfection, as detected by immunohistochemical staining. Eight hours after transfection of slices with hypoxia-inducible factor la, oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression was upregulated, and reached a peak 24 hours after transfection. Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 transfection induced no significant differences in hypoxia-inducible factor la levels in rat brain tissues with oxygen-glucose deprivation. These experimental findings indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor la can regulate oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression in hypoxic brain tissue, thus repairing the neural impairment.

Phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10,hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha gene expression in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression

To examine phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN),hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) gene expressions and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expression in the patients with human colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.Methods The expression of PTEN,HIF-1 alpha gene was detected by using in situ hybridization,and the VEGF expression levels by immunohistochemistry in colorectal adenomas and primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.Results Strong expression of HIF-1 alpha was detectable in the majority of colorectal dadenocarcinoma,particularly surrounding areas of necrosis in adenocarcinoma.PTEN,HIF-1 alpha mRNA and VEGF protein were positive in 51.6%,67.7% and 59.7% respectively in 62 cases of adenocarcinomas,and 77.8%,44.4% and 33.3% respectively in 18 cases of adenomas.The positive rate of VEGF was higher in the patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas than that in those with adenomas,whereas that of PTEN mRNA was contrary.HIF-1 mRNA expression was correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis,liver metastasis,Duke’s stage and recurrence.During colorectal tumor progression,the expression of HIF-1 alpha mRNA was positively correlated with the VEGF protein expression (χ2= 4.751 ,P<0.05),but negatively with the PTEN mRNA expression(χ2=21.84,P<0.01).Conclusion The absence or low expression of PTEN and the increased levels of HIF-1α and VEGF may paly an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal carcinoma.These results suggest that VEGF upregulated by HIF-1 alpha gene may be involved in angiogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.4 refs,1 tab.

Long non-coding RNA CDKN2B-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via E2F transcription factor 1/G protein subunit alpha Z axis

BACKGROUND A series of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have been reported to play a crucial role in cancer biology.Some previous studies report that lncRNA CDKN2B-AS1 is involved in some human malignancies.However,its role in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has not been fully deciphered.AIM To decipher the role of CDKN2B-AS1 in the progression of HCC.METHODS CDKN2B-AS1 expression in HCC was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The malignant phenotypes of Li-7 and SNU-182 cells were detected by the CCK-8 method,EdU method,and flow cytometry,respectively.RNA immunoprecipitation was executed to confirm the interaction between CDKN2B-AS1 and E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1).Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to verify the binding of E2F1 to the promoter of G protein subunit alpha Z(GNAZ).E2F1 and GNAZ were detected by western blot in HCC cells.RESULTS In HCC tissues,CDKN2B-AS1 was upregulated.Depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells,and the depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 also induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.CDKN2B-AS1 could interact with E2F1.Depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 inhibited the binding of E2F1 to the GNAZ promoter region.Overexpression of E2F1 reversed the biological effects of depletion of CDKN2B-AS1 on the malignant behaviors of HCC cells.CONCLUSION CDKN2B-AS1 recruits E2F1 to facilitate GNAZ transcription to promote HCC progression.

Effects of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α silencing on the proliferation of CBRH-7919 hepatoma cells

AIM:To study the effects of hypoxia-inducible factor1α(HIF-1α) silencing on the proliferation of hypoxic CBRH-7919 rat hepatoma cells.METHODS:The CBRH-7919 rat hepatoma cell line was used in this study and the hypoxic model was constructed using CoCl2.The HIF-1α-specific RNAi sequences were designed according to the gene coding sequence of rat HIF-1α obtained from GeneBank.The secondary structure of the HIF-1α gene sequence was analyzed using RNA draw software.The small interfering RNA(siRNA) transfection mixture was produced by mixing the siRNA and Lipofectamine2000TM,and transfected into the hypoxic hepatoma cells.Real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR) and Western blotting assay were used to detect the expression levels of mRNA and protein.HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) mRNA was determined using real time RT-PCR;the protein expression levels of AKT,p-AKT,p21 and cyclinD1 were determined using Western blotting.The proliferation of hepatoma cells was observed using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and the bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) incorporation cell proliferation assay.RESULTS:Under induced hypoxia,the viability of the hepatoma cells reached a minimum at 800 μmol/L CoCl2;the viability of the cells was relatively high at CoCl2 concentrations between 100 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L.Under hypoxia,the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF were significantly higher than that of hepatoma cells that were cultured in normaxia.HIF-1α-specific RNAi sequences were successfully transfected into hepatoma cells.The transfection of specific siRNAs significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF,along with the protein expression levels of p-AKT and cyclinD1;the protein expression of p21 was significantly increased,and there was no significant difference in the expression of AKT.The MTT assay showed that the amount of hepatoma cells in S phase in the siRNA transfection group was obviously smaller than that in the control group;in the siRNA transfection group,the amount of hepatoma cells in G1 phase was more than that in the control group.The BrdU incorporation assay showed that the number of BrdU positive hepatoma cells in the siRNA transfection group was less than that in the control group.The data of the MTT assay and BrdU incorporation assay suggested that HIF-1α silencing using siRNAs significantly inhibited the proliferation of hepatoma cells.CONCLUSION:Hypoxia increases the expression of HIF-1α,and HIF-1α silencing significantly inhibits the proliferation of hypoxic CBRH-7919 rat hepatoma cells.

Extracellular vesicles from hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells alleviates myocardial injury by targeting thioredoxininteracting protein-mediated hypoxia-inducible factor-1αpathway

BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles(EVs)derived from hypoxia-preconditioned(HP)mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have better cardioprotective effects against myocardial infarction(MI)in the early stage than EVs isolated from normoxic(NC)-MSCs.However,the cardioprotective mechanisms of HP-EVs are not fully understood.AIM To explore the cardioprotective mechanism of EVs derived from HP MSCs.METHODS We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of HP-EVs or NC-EVs from mouse adipose-derived MSCs(ADSCs)following hypoxia in vitro or MI in vivo,in order to improve the survival of cardiomyocytes(CMs)and restore cardiac function.The degree of CM apoptosis in each group was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end-labeling and Annexin V/PI assays.MicroRNA(miRNA)sequencing was used to investigate the functional RNA diversity between HP-EVs and NC-EVs from mouse ADSCs.The molecular mechanism of EVs in mediating thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.Co-immunoprecipitation,western blotting,and immunofluorescence were performed to determine if TXNIP is involved in hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha(HIF-1α)ubiquitination and degradation via the chromosomal region maintenance-1(CRM-1)-dependent nuclear transport pathway.RESULTS HP-EVs derived from MSCs reduced both infarct size(necrosis area)and apoptotic degree to a greater extent than NC-EVs from CMs subjected to hypoxia in vitro and mice with MI in vivo.Sequencing of EV-associated miRNAs showed the upregulation of 10 miRNAs predicted to bind TXNIP,an oxidative stress-associated protein.We showed miRNA224-5p,the most upregulated miRNA in HP-EVs,directly combined the 3’untranslated region of TXNIP and demonstrated its critical protective role against hypoxia-mediated CM injury.Our results demonstrated that MI triggered TXNIP-mediated HIF-1αubiquitination and degradation in the CRM-1-mediated nuclear transport pathway in CMs,which led to aggravated injury and hypoxia tolerance in CMs in the early stage of MI.CONCLUSION The anti-apoptotic effects of HP-EVs in alleviating MI and the hypoxic conditions of CMs until reperfusion therapy may partly result from EV miR-224-5p targeting TXNIP.

Lysyl oxidase and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α: biomarkers of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC) is one of the main causes of cancer mortality worldwide.Recent studies on tumor microenvironments have shown that tumor metabolism exerts a vital role in cancer progression.AIM To investigate whether lysyl oxidase(LOX) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF1α) are prognostic and predictive biomarkers in GC.METHODS A total of 80 tissue and blood samples were collected from 140 patients admitted to our hospital between August 2008 and March 2012. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure the expression of LOX and HIF1α in tumor and adjacent tissues collected from patients with GC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) analysis was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of LOX and HIF1α in patients with GC. In addition, single-factor analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between LOX, HIF1α and prognosis of GC.RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining suggested that the expression levels of LOX and HIF1α increased in tumor tissues from patients with GC. QRT-PCR analysis indicated that mRNA expression of LOX and HIF1α was also upregulated in tumor tissues, which was in accordance with the above results. We also detected expression of these two genes in blood samples. The expression level of LOX and HIF1α was higher in patients with GC than in healthy controls. Additional analysis showed that the expression level of LOX and HIF1α was related to the clinicopathological characteristics of GC. Expression of LOX and HIF1α increased with the number of lymph node metastases, deeper infiltration depth and later tumor–node–metastasis stages. Single-factor analysis showed that high expression of LOX and HIF1α led to poor prognosis of patients with GC.CONCLUSION LOX and HIF1α can be used as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for GC.

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activates ectopic production of fibroblast growth factor 23 in tumor-induced osteomalacia

Tumor-induced osteomalacia （TIO） is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome in which ectopic production of fibroblast growth factor 23 （FGF23） by non-malignant mesenchymal tumors causes phosphate wasting and bone fractures. Recent studies have implicated the hypoxia-inducible factor-la （HIF-la） in other phosphate wasting disorders caused by elevated FGF23, including X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets and autosomal dominant hypophosphatemia. Here we provide evidence that HIF-la mediates aberrant FGF23 in TIO by transcriptionally activating its promoter. Immunohistochemical studies in phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors resected from patients with documented TIO showed that HIF-la and FGF23 were co-localized in spindle- shaped cells adjacent to blood vessels. Cultured tumor tissue produced high levels of intact FGF23 and demonstrated increased expression of HIF-la protein. Transfection of MC3T3-E1 and Saos-2 cells with a HIF-la expression construct induced the activity of a FGF23 reporter construct. Prior treatment of tumor organ cultures with HIF-la inhibitors decreased HIF-la and FGF23 protein accumulation and inhibited HIF-la-induced luciferase reporter activity in transfected cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed binding to a HIF-la consensus sequence within the proximal FGF23 promoter, which was eliminated by treatment with a HIF-la inhibitor. These results show for the first time that HIF-la is a direct transcriptional activator of FGF23 and suggest that upregulation of HIF-la activity in TIO contributes to the aberrant FGF23 production in these patients.

Inhibition of Expression of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α mRNA by Nitric Oxide in Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension Rats

In order to study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF 1α) mRNA in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) rats, 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normoxic control group, chronic hypoxic group and hypoxia plus L argine (L Arg) group. The animal model of HPH was developed. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was measured by inserting a microcatheter into the pulmonary artery. The HIF 1α mRNA expression levels were detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and semiquantitative RT PCR. It was found that after 14 days hypoxia, the mPAP in normoxic control group (17.6±2 7 mmHg,1 mmHg=0 133 kPa) was significantly lower than that in chronic hypoxic group(35.8±6.1 mmHg, t =0.2918, P <0.05) and mPAP in chronic hypoxic group was higher than that in hypoxia plus L argine group(24.4±3.8 mmHg, t =0.2563, P <0.05). ISH showed that the expression of HIF 1α mRNA in the intraacinar pulmonary arteriolae (IAPA) in normoxic control group (0.1076±0.0205) was markedly weaker than that in chronic hypoxic group (0.3317±0.0683, t =3.125, P <0.05) and that in chronic hypoxic group was stronger than that in hypoxia plus L argine group (0.1928±0.0381, t =2.844, P <0.05). RT PCR showed that the content of HIF 1α mRNA in chronic hypoxic group (2.5395±0.6449) was 2.16 times and 1.75 times higher than that in normoxic control group (1.1781±0.3628) and hypoxia plus L argine group (1.4511±0.3981), respectively. It is concluded that NO can reduce the mPAP by the inhibition of the expression of HIF 1α mRNA, which may be one of the mechanisms through which NO affects the pathogenesis of HPH.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α–mediated upregulation of CD99 promotes the proliferation of placental mesenchymal stem cells by regulating ERK1/2

BACKGROUND As human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hP-MSCs)exist in a physiologically hypoxic microenvironment,various studies have focused on the influence of hypoxia.However,the underlying mechanisms remain to be further explored.AIM The aim was to reveal the possible mechanisms by which hypoxia enhances the proliferation of hP-MSCs.METHODS A hypoxic cell incubator(2.5%O2)was used to mimic a hypoxic microenvironment.Cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine incorporation assays were used to assay the proliferation of hP-MSCs.The cell cycle was profiled by flow cytometry.Transcriptome profiling of hP-MSCs under hypoxia was performed by RNA sequencing.CD99 mRNA expression was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Small interfering RNA-mediated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)or CD99 knockdown of hP-MSCs,luciferase reporter assays,and the ERK1/2 signaling inhibitor PD98059 were used in the mechanistic analysis.Protein expression was assayed by western blotting;immunofluorescence assays were conducted to evaluate changes in expression levels.RESULTS Hypoxia enhanced hP-MSC proliferation,increased the expression of cyclin E1,cyclin-dependent kinase 2,and cyclin A2,and decreased the expression of p21.Under hypoxia,CD99 expression was increased by HIF-1α.CD99-specific small interfering RNA or the ERK1/2 signaling inhibitor PD98059 abrogated the hypoxia-induced increase in cell proliferation.CONCLUSION Hypoxia promoted hP-MSCs proliferation in a manner dependent on CD99 regulation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in vitro.

Correlation between the Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1 in Breast Cancer Tissues

The correlation between aquaporin 1 （AQP1） and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 （HIF 1） in breast cancer tissues was preliminarily studied. In 155 cases of breast cancer, the expression levels of AQP1 were detected by immunohistochemisty in HIFl-positive group or HIFl-negative group, and the correlation between AQP1 and HIF1 was analyzed. The overexpression of AQP1 and HIF1 were observed in 155 cases of breast cancer tissues. The expression level of AQP1 in HIFl-positive group was significantly higher than that in HIFl-negative group. The positive expression rate of AQP1 was 296.55±24.67 and 168.37±37.53 in HIFl-positive group and HIFl-negative group respectively with the difference being very significant between them （P〈0.001）. It was concluded that AQP1 was overexpressed in the HIFl-positive group and there were some correlations between AQP1 and HIF1, suggesting they interact each other and regulate the oncogenesis of breast cancer.

Effects of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 on ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1, a nuclear transcription factor, is induced by hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1, a heterodimeric DNA-binding protein, is composed of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and hypoxia-inducible factor 1βsubunits, which are family members of the basic helix-loop-helix-PER, ARNT, SIM （PAS） protein. O2 concentration regulates hypoxia-inducible factor 1 activity via this subunit. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α plays a major role in response to hypoxia and transcriptional activation, as well as in the target gene specificity of the DNA enhancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1β cannot be induced by hypoxia. This effect may be due to hypoxia-inducible factor 1 stability and activated conformation due to dimerization. Previous studies have shown that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 mRNA expression increases in the penumbra following ischemia/hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 plays an important role in brain tissue injury after ischemia by affecting a series of target genes, elevating tolerance to hypoxia, and ensuring survival of neural cells. This article summarizes the structure, function, expression, regulatory mechanisms, biological effects, and significance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. As a transcriptional activator, hypoxia- inducible factor 1 plays a key role in hypoxic responses by stabilizing the internal environment. It also has been shown to regulate the expression of several genes. The regulatory effects of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease have been described. The present review re-examined the concept of brain protection at the level of gene regulation.

骨肉瘤组织中GFRA1、FBN1表达水平及意义

目的探讨胶质细胞系源性神经营养因子受体1(GFRA1)、原纤维蛋白-1(FBN1)在骨肉瘤组织中表达水平及意义。方法收集2017年9月至2019年9月住院手术的66例骨肉瘤患者治疗精细切除骨肉瘤组织标本及癌旁组织标本,同时收集整理其临床分期、肿瘤直径、肿瘤分化程度等临床资料。采用免疫组织化学法检测GFRA1、FBN1蛋白表达;骨肉瘤组织GFRA1、FBN1表达与患者预后的关系采用Kaplan-Meier法分析;多因素Logistic回归分析骨肉瘤患者预后的影响因素。结果与癌旁组织相比,骨肉瘤组织中GFRA1、FBN1阳性表达率明显较高(P<0.05)。GFRA1、FBN1的表达与骨肉瘤患者的临床分期、分化程度、是否发生肺转移、软组织是否浸润有关(P<0.05),与患者性别、年龄、肿瘤直径、肿瘤位置无关(P>0.05);骨肉瘤组织GFRA1、FBN1阳性表达患者3年生存率低于FBN1阴性表达患者(P<0.05)。GFRA1、FBN1阳性表达、肿瘤转移、软组织浸润是骨肉瘤患者预后的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论GFRA1、FBN1的表达与骨肉瘤患者的临床病理特征及预后有关,可以作为骨肉瘤患者预后评估的指标。

Claudin 1 mediates tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced cell migration in human gastric cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the role of claudin 1 in the regulation of genes involved in cell migration and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)-induced gene expression in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells.METHODS:Knockdown experiments were conducted with claudin 1 small interfering RNA(si RNA),and theeffects on the cell cycle,apoptosis,migration and invasion were analyzed in human gastric adenocarcinoma MKN28 cells.The gene expression profiles of cells were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics.RESULTS:The knockdown of claudin 1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation,migration and invasion,and increased apoptosis.Microarray analysis identified 245genes whose expression levels were altered by the knockdown of claudin 1.Pathway analysis showed that the top-ranked molecular and cellular function was the cellular movement related pathway,which involved MMP7,TNF-SF10,TGFBR1,and CCL2.Furthermore,TNFand nuclear frctor-κB were the top-ranked upstream regulators related to claudin 1.TNF-αtreatment increased claudin 1 expression and cell migration in MKN28 cells.Microarray analysis indicated that the depletion of claudin1 inhibited 80%of the TNF-α-induced m RNA expression changes.Further,TNF-αdid not enhance cell migration in the claudin 1 si RNA transfected cells.CONCLUSION:These results suggest that claudin 1 is an important messenger that regulates TNF-α-induced gene expression and migration in gastric cancer cells.A deeper understanding of these cellular processes may be helpful in establishing new therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer.