Hypoxia-dependent regulation of inflammatory pathways in immune cells

J Clin Invest. 2016 Oct 3;126(10):3716-3724. doi: 10.1172/JCI84433. Epub 2016 Jul 25.

Abstract

Uncontrolled inflammation underpins a diverse range of diseases where effective therapy remains an unmet clinical need. Hypoxia is a prominent feature of the inflammatory microenvironment that regulates key transcription factors including HIF and NF-κB in both innate and adaptive immune cells. In turn, altered activity of the pathways controlled by these factors can affect the course of inflammation through the regulation of immune cell development and function. In this review, we will discuss these pathways and the oxygen sensors that confer hypoxic sensitivity in immune cells. Furthermore, we will describe how hypoxia-dependent pathways contribute to immunity and discuss their potential as therapeutic targets in inflammatory and infectious disease.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 / physiology
  • Immunity*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Prolyl Hydroxylases / metabolism
  • Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Prolyl-Hydroxylase Inhibitors
  • Prolyl Hydroxylases