Expression of HIF-1α in keloids and its correlation with inflammatory responses and apoptosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in keloids and its correlation with inflammatory responses and apoptosis. The keloid specimens resected in our hospital from November 2015 to February 2017 were selected as the pathological group, and the normal skin tissues from our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. The expression of HIF-1α, inflammatory response cytokines, and apoptotic molecules in the tissues of two groups were detected. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of HIF-1α in the keloids in the pathological group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the pathological group was significantly higher than those in the control group. The mRNA expression of Bax in the pathological group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2, livin, and hPEBP4 in the pathological group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Pearson test showed that there was a positive correlation between the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. There were also a positive correlation between the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and Bax and a negative correlation between the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and Bcl-2, livin, and hPEBP4. In conclusion, HIF-1α was highly expressed in keloids and closely related to inflammatory response cytokines and apoptosis molecules. Increased expression of HIF-1α in keloids may be an important factor in inflammatory responses and increased apoptosis in skin tissues.