Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the brain of rats during chronic hypoxia

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor that regulates adaptive responses to the lack of oxygen in mammalian cells. HIF-1 consists of two proteins, HIF-1 alpha and HIF-1 beta. HIF-1 alpha. accumulates under hypoxic conditions, whereas HIF-1 beta is constitutively expressed. HIF-1 alpha. and HIF-1 beta expression were measured during adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia (0.5 atm) in rat cerebral cortex. Western blot analyses indicated that HIF-1 alpha rapidly accumulated during the onset of hypoxia and did not fall for 14 days but fell to normal by 21 days despite the continuous low arterial oxygen tension. Immunostaining showed that neurons, astrocytes, ependymal cells, and possibly endothelial cells were the cell types expressing HIF-1 alpha. Genes with hypoxia-responsive elements were activated under these conditions, as evidenced by elevated vascular endothelial growth factor and glucose transporter-1. mRNA levels. When 21-day-adapted rats were exposed to a more severe hypoxic challenge (8% oxygen), HIF-1 alpha accumulated again. On the basis of these results, we speculate that the vascular remodeling and metabolic changes triggered during prolonged hypoxia are capable of restoring normal tissue oxygen levels.