Inflammatory Hypoxia: Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor

Sites of inflammation are characterized by significant changes in metabolic activity. Shifts in energy supply and demand can result in diminished delivery and/or availability of oxygen, leading to inflammation-associated tissue hypoxia and metabolic acidosis. These shifts in tissue metabolism, as indicated by previous studies, are frequently associated with vasculitis and profound recruitment of inflammatory cell types, particularly myeloid cells such as neutrophils (PMN) and monocytes. Here, we review recent work addressing the influence of hypoxia on development of inflammatory lesions, with particular emphasis on molecular pathways regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF).