A narrative review of research progress on the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor-2α and wound angiogenesis

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to pay attention to the latest research on the expression, activation and function of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) under hypoxia and non-hypoxia conditions, and summarizes the current knowledge about the interaction between hypoxia-inducible factor-2 and angiogenesis, hoping to understand its actions in physiology and disease, with the goal of providing a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of wounds.

Background: Wound healing is a complex and continuous process, involving coagulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, new tissue formation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Of these, angiogenesis is an essential step. One of the main reasons for non-healing or delayed healing of wounds in peripheral vascular diseases and diabetes is the reduced ability to regenerate microvessels through the process of angiogenesis, which has become the focus of new methods for treating chronic wounds. HIF-2α regulates many aspects of angiogenesis, including vascular maturation, cell migration, proliferation and metastasis.

Methods: Throughout extensive search of PubMed, summarize the medical research on HIF-2α to 2020.

Conclusions: HIF-2α is necessary for normal embryonic development by stimulating the expression of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is essential for the formation of new blood vessels in physiological and pathophysiological environments. Targeting HIF-2α in wound healing has much clinical significance for tissue repair.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; chronic wounds; hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α); wound healing.