Hypoxia Inducible Factor-2α Regulates the Development of Retinal Astrocytic Network by Maintaining Adequate Supply of Astrocyte Progenitors
Figure 9
Model for HIF-2α regulated retinal astrocyte differentiation.
In wild-type mice, physiological level of HIF-2α may partially suppress differentiation of mature astrocytes (green stars) from their progenitors (orange ovals). Thus, while a proportion of astrocyte progenitors differentiate into non-proliferative mature astrocytes, the rest may undergo active proliferation to replenish progenitor populations. HIF-2α deficiency disturbs the balance between progenitor proliferation and astrocyte differentiation. Accelerated astrocyte differentiation may cause rapid loss of astrocyte progenitors due to inadequate time for proliferation, leading to unsustainable astrocyte development.