Hypoxia inducible factor one alpha and human viral pathogens

Curr Res Transl Med. 2017 Jan-Mar;65(1):7-9. doi: 10.1016/j.retram.2016.11.002. Epub 2017 Mar 8.

Abstract

If the oxygen tension level is 21% in ambient air, it is only between 14% and 1% in vivo. Consequently, viral pathogens are exposed and must adapt to these fluctuating oxygen levels to colonize the host and cause diseases. The problem is that for many years, the virological studies have been performed at 21% oxygen levels and consequently this is a real handicap to have a correct view of the mechanistic aspects of human viral infections. In this brief review, we describe for some selected examples the interactions of human viruses with this relative hypoxia observed in vivo.

Keywords: AIDS; HIF-1 alpha; Hypoxia; Kaposi sarcoma.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • DNA Virus Infections / genetics
  • DNA Virus Infections / pathology
  • DNA Virus Infections / virology
  • DNA Viruses / pathogenicity
  • DNA Viruses / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / physiology*
  • RNA Virus Infections / genetics
  • RNA Virus Infections / pathology
  • RNA Viruses / pathogenicity
  • RNA Viruses / physiology
  • Virus Physiological Phenomena*
  • Viruses / pathogenicity*

Substances

  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit