Published in:
01-06-2016 | REVIEW
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and Autoimmune Lupus, Arthritis
Authors:
Zu-Cheng Yang, Yi Liu
Published in:
Inflammation
|
Issue 3/2016
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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.