Expression of HIF-1α in pediatric asthmatic patients

Victor Gonzalez-Uribe; Ricardo Martinez-Tenopala; Alejandra Osorio-Martínez; Jimena Prieto-Gomez; Agustin Lammoglia Kirsch; Christian R. Alcocer-Arreguin; Zaira Selene Mojica Gonzalez

doi:10.4081/mrm.2023.927

Expression of HIF-1α in pediatric asthmatic patients

Authors

Victor Gonzalez-Uribe Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez, Mexico City; Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle Mexico, Mexico City https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9053-7108
Ricardo Martinez-Tenopala Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle Mexico, Mexico City https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-3828
Alejandra Osorio-Martínez Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle Mexico, Mexico City https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5625-147X
Jimena Prieto-Gomez Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle Mexico, Mexico City https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7455-002X
Agustin Lammoglia Kirsch Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle Mexico, Mexico City https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-7543
Christian R. Alcocer-Arreguin Sin Alergia GDL, Guadalajara
Zaira Selene Mojica Gonzalez Pathology and Molecular Biology, Hospital General de Mexico Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2023.927

Keywords:

asthma, HIF-1α, asthmatic exacerbation, airway remodelling, pediatric

Abstract

Background: Several studies have suggested that HIF-1α regulates eosinophil activity and induces epithelial inflammation via NF-κB activation in the pathophysiology of asthma. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of the transcription factors HIF-1α and nuclear HIF in mononuclear cells obtained from peripheral blood samples of healthy pediatric patients, asthmatic patients, and asthmatic exacerbations, regardless of disease severity.
Methods: HIF-1 levels were measured using immunocytochemistry in 133 patients aged 6 to 17 years in this cross-sectional and comparative study. A microscope was used to examine glass slides, and positive cells were counted in four fields per slide using an image analyzer.
Results: HIF-1α and nuclear HIF levels were significantly higher in asthma patients and even higher in patients experiencing asthma attacks (p<0.0001, 95% CI). There was no significant difference in the percentage of HIF-1α expression between groups with intermittent asthma and those with mild persistent asthma, nor between patients with asthma and those experiencing asthma exacerbations.
Conclusions: When compared to healthy individuals, the expression of nuclear HIF and HIF-1α is increased in peripheral mononuclear cells in asthma patients and even more so in asthma exacerbations. This suggests that HIF-1α is important in the pathogenesis of this disease.

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