Hypoxia-Induced Signaling in Gut and Liver Pathobiology

Abstract

Oxygen (O2) is essential for cellular metabolism and biochemical reactions. When the demand for O2 exceeds the supply, hypoxia occurs. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential to activate adaptive and survival responses following hypoxic stress. In the gut (intestines) and liver, oxygen gradients or physiologic hypoxia are necessary to maintain normal homeostasis. While physiologic hypoxia is beneficial and aids in normal functions, pathological hypoxia is harmful as it exacerbates inflammatory responses and tissue dysfunction and is a hallmark of many cancers. In this review, we discuss the role of gut and liver hypoxia-induced signaling, primarily focusing on HIFs, in the physiology and pathobiology of gut and liver diseases. Additionally, we examine the function of HIFs in various cell types during gut and liver diseases, beyond intestinal epithelial and hepatocyte HIFs. This review highlights the importance of understanding hypoxia-induced signaling in the pathogenesis of gut and liver diseases and emphasizes the potential of HIFs as therapeutic targets. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pathology: Mechanisms of Disease, Volume 19 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Bidirectional Mendelian randomization study shows causal relationship between high- altitude adaptation and liver diseases

“…He et al de ned high levels of GGT as one of the characteristic phenotypes of HAA on the Tibetan (7). Hypoxia can lead to hepatocyte dysfunction, hypoxic hepatitis, and liver brosis (33)(34)(35). The increased GGT may be the cost of adapting to hypoxia.…”