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  • Title: HIF-1 alpha expression is associated with an atheromatous inflammatory plaque phenotype and upregulated in activated macrophages.
    Author: Vink A, Schoneveld AH, Lamers D, Houben AJ, van der Groep P, van Diest PJ, Pasterkamp G.
    Journal: Atherosclerosis; 2007 Dec; 195(2):e69-75. PubMed ID: 17606258.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis and inflammation are important features in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a key regulator of angiogenesis and is also involved in inflammatory reactions. We studied HIF-1 alpha expression in different atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes. METHODS AND RESULTS: HIF-1 alpha expression was observed in 18/37 (49%) carotid and in 9/15 (60%) femoral endarterectomy specimens. Expression of HIF-1 alpha was associated with the presence of a large extracellular lipid core (P=0.03) and macrophages (P=0.02). HIF-1 alpha co-localized with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important downstream target of HIF-1 alpha. In addition, a strong association was observed between expression levels of HIF-1 alpha and VEGF (P=0.001). The average number of plaque microvessels was higher in plaques with no or minor HIF-1 alpha staining than in plaques with moderate or heavy HIF-1 alpha staining (P=0.03). In human macrophages, lipopolysaccharide activation induced HIF-1 alpha expression. In embryonic fibroblasts derived from wild-type mice, lipopolysaccharide activation induced an increase in HIF-1 alpha mRNA, whereas in Toll-like receptor 4 defective embryonic fibroblasts no effect was observed after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In atherosclerotic plaque, the transcription factor HIF-1 alpha is associated with an atheromatous inflammatory plaque phenotype and with VEGF expression. HIF-1 alpha expression is upregulated in activated macrophages under normoxic conditions.
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