Impact of hypoxia on the immune system

Abstract

Hypoxia is a condition that occurs when there is a decrease in the normal level of oxygen due to a decrease in the availability or delivery of this gas to cells and tissues. It is important to note that hypoxic conditions occur in many diseases. With a low oxygen content in tissues and cells, numerous physiological and pathological changes occur. The article summarizes information from the scientific literature on the effect of hypoxia on the immune system. The analysis shows that the lack of oxygen has a significant effect on the regulation of the immune response. This influence is mediated by a family of factors induced by hypoxia. Among them, the most studied is HIF-1α. The action of factors is carried out by various mechanisms. The influence of factors induced by hypoxia was registered in the analysis of the function of all cells of natural and acquired immunity.