The Potential Interplay Between HIF-1α, Angiogenic, and Autophagic Signaling During Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure and Exercise

Berkemeier QN, Deyhle MR, McCormick JJ, Escobar KA, Mermier CM. The Potential Interplay between HIF-1 alpha, Angiogenic, and Autophagic Signaling during Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure and Exercise High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 2024.-Berkemeier QN, Deyhle MR, McCormick JJ, Escobar KA, Mermier CM. The Potential Interplay between HIF-1 alpha, Angiogenic, and Autophagic Signaling During Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure and Exercise High Alt Med Biol. 00:000-000, 2024.-Environmental hypoxia as a result of decreased barometric pressure upon ascent to high altitudes (>2,500 m) presents increased physiological demands compared with low altitudes, or normoxic environments. Competitive athletes, mountaineers, wildland firefighters, military personnel, miners, and outdoor enthusiasts commonly participate in, or are exposed to, forms of exercise or physical labor at moderate to high altitudes. However, the majority of research on intermittent hypoxic exposure is centered around hematological markers, and the skeletal muscle cellular responses to exercise in hypoxic environments remain largely unknown. Two processes that may be integral for the maintenance of cellular health in skeletal muscle include angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vasculature and autophagy, a process that removes and recycles damaged and dysfunctional cellular material in the lysosome. The purpose of this review is to is to examine the current body of literature and highlight the potential interplay between low-oxygen-sensing pathways, angiogenesis, and autophagy during acute and prolonged intermittent hypoxic exposure in conjunction with exercise. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army, DOD, DOE, ORAU/ORISE or U.S. Government.