Epidermal Sensing of Oxygen Is Essential for Systemic Hypoxic Response

Adam T. Boutin, Alexander Weidemann, Zhenxing Fu, Lernik Mesropian, Katarina Gradin, Colin Jamora, Michael Wiesener, Kai Uwe Eckardt, Cameron J. Koch, Lesley G. Ellies, Gabriel Haddad, Volker H. Haase, M. Celeste Simon, Lorenz Poellinger, Frank L. Powell, Randall S. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Skin plays an essential role, mediated in part by its remarkable vascular plasticity, in adaptation to environmental stimuli. Certain vertebrates, such as amphibians, respond to hypoxia in part through the skin; but it is unknown whether this tissue can influence mammalian systemic adaptation to low oxygen levels. We have found that epidermal deletion of the hypoxia-responsive transcription factor HIF-1α inhibits renal erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis in response to hypoxia. Conversely, mice with an epidermal deletion of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) factor, a negative regulator of HIF, have increased EPO synthesis and polycythemia. We show that nitric oxide release induced by the HIF pathway acts on cutaneous vascular flow to increase systemic erythropoietin expression. These results demonstrate that in mice the skin is a critical mediator of systemic responses to environmental oxygen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)223-234
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume133
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 18 2008

Keywords

  • HUMDISEASE
  • SIGNALING

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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