Influences of hypoxia inducible factor-1α on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in mice with influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

Abstract

Objective To analyze the changes in the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and inflammatory cytokines and to investigate the role of HIF-1α in regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines during influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Methods BALB/c mice were injected with H1N1 virus to establish the mouse model of H1N1 virus infection. Fifteen BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, H1N1 virus group and H1N1 virus+ HIF-1α inhibitor group. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10) in samples of serum and lung tissues were detected by Luminex and ELISA. Levels of HIF-1α in serum and lung tissue samples were detected by Western blot and ELISA, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10) and lung tissues (IL-6 and TNF-α) and the expression of HIF-1α in serum and lung tissues in the H1N1 virus group were significantly increased. The levels of HIF-1α, IL-6, TNF-α IL-1β and IL-10 in lung tissues in H1N1 virus+ HIF-1α inhibitor group were significantly lower than those of the H1N1 virus group. Conclusion During H1N1 virus infection, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and HIF-1α were significantly increased. The production of inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced after inhibiting HIF-1α expression, suggesting that HIF-1α might promote the production of inflammatory cytokines. Key words: H1N1 virus; HIF-1α; Inflammatory cytokines