HIF-1 as a Marker of Age-Related Diseases Associated with Tissue Hypoxia

The data on the role of hypoxia-inducible factor, HIF-1, in the development of immunopathology (infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases), cancer (of the lung, brain, female reproductive system, urinary bladder, and pancreas), diabetes mellitus, and Alzheimer's disease are analyzed. The data on the genes involving cell differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation, the expression of which is regulated by HIF-1, are described. HIF-1 activates the expression of the telomerase gene and increases the replicative lifetime of human lung fibroblasts under hypoxic conditions. HIF-1 may be a molecular marker of cell aging and metabolism, as well as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of age-related diseases.