First Author | Brusselmans K | Year | 2003 |
Journal | J Clin Invest | Volume | 111 |
Issue | 10 | Pages | 1519-27 |
PubMed ID | 12750401 | Mgi Jnum | J:83549 |
Mgi Id | MGI:2662627 | Doi | 10.1172/JCI15496 |
Citation | Brusselmans K, et al. (2003) Heterozygous deficiency of hypoxia-inducible factor-2alpha protects mice against pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction during prolonged hypoxia. J Clin Invest 111(10):1519-27 |
abstractText | Chronic hypoxia induces pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, and heart failure. Heterozygous deficiency of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), which mediates the cellular response to hypoxia by increasing expression of genes involved in erythropoiesis and angiogenesis, has been previously shown to delay hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. HIF-2alpha is a homologue of HIF-1alpha and is abundantly expressed in the lung, but its role in pulmonary hypertension remains unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the pulmonary response of WT and viable heterozygous HIF-2alpha-deficient (Hif2alpha(+/-)) mice after exposure to 10% O(2) for 4 weeks. In contrast to WT mice, Hif2alpha(+/-) mice were fully protected against pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, unveiling a critical role of HIF-2alpha in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pulmonary expression levels of endothelin-1 and plasma catecholamine levels were increased threefold and 12-fold respectively in WT but not in Hif2alpha(+/-) mice after hypoxia, suggesting that HIF-2alpha-mediated upregulation of these vasoconstrictors contributes to the development of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling. |