Effect of hypoxia-inducible factors in normal and leukemic stem cell regulation and their potential therapeutic impact

Abstract

Hypoxia inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) are the main mediators of hypoxic responses that operate in both normal and pathological conditions. Recent evidence indicates that HIF-1α and HIF-2α could have overlapping, unique and even sometimes opposing activities in both normal physiology and disease. Despite an increase in our understanding of the different pathways regulated by HIF-1α and HIF-2α, the role played by each factor in HSC maintenance and leukemogenesis is still controversial.