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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and Autoimmune Lupus, Arthritis

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Abstract

Hypoxia elicits an orchestrated response in cells, tissues, and entire organisms to survive a hypoxic challenge. On a molecular level, this response can be controlled by oxygen-dependent stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Recently, studies have shown that HIF-1α plays an important role in the development and function of T helper (Th) cells, regulatory T (Treg) cells, and dendritic cells (DCs). Because these cells are critical in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, the roles of HIF-1α in these autoimmune disorders cannot be neglected. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the important roles of HIF-1α in immune cells and the possible pathologic roles of HIF-1α in autoimmune diseases. The obtained information may lead to deeper insights into the roles of HIF-1α in these disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China

    Zu-Cheng Yang & Yi Liu

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  1. Zu-Cheng Yang
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  2. Yi Liu
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Correspondence to Yi Liu.

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Yang, ZC., Liu, Y. Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and Autoimmune Lupus, Arthritis. Inflammation 39, 1268–1273 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-016-0337-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-016-0337-z

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