Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) as a Biomarker for Changes in Microcirculation in Individuals with Systemic Sclerosis

• Published in: Dermatology and therapy 2023-07, Vol.13 (7), p.1549-1560
• Main Authors: Maciejewska, Magdalena, Sikora, Mariusz, Stec, Albert, Zaremba, Michał, Maciejewski, Cezary, Pawlik, Katarzyna, Rudnicka, Lidia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarker; Dermatology; Digital ulcers; HIF-1α; Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microangiopathy; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Research; Plastic Surgery; Quality of Life Research; Systemic sclerosis
• ISSN: 2193-8210; 2190-9172
• DOI: 10.1007/s13555-023-00952-w

Introduction Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by tissue fibrosis and microangiopathy. Vascular changes such as a decrease in capillary density diminish blood flow and impair tissue oxygenation. Reliable ways to monitor disease activity and predict disease progression are desired in the process of patient selection for clinical trials and to optimize individual patient outcomes. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a dimeric protein complex that plays an integral role in the body’s response to hypoxia. Our study aimed to investigate the potential abnormalities of HIF-1α plasma concentration and its possible association with disease activity and vascular abnormalities in patients with systemic sclerosis. Methods Blood plasma levels of HIF-1α were measured in patients with systemic sclerosis ( n  = 50) and in healthy individuals ( n  = 30) using commercially available ELISA test kits. Results The results showed a marked increase in HIF-1α levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (3.042 ng/ml [2.295–7.749]) compared to the control group (1.969 ng/ml [1.531–2.903] p