RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Regulation of alveolar epithelial function by hypoxia
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1107
OP 1113
DO 10.1183/09031936.00155507
VO 31
IS 5
A1 G. Zhou
A1 L. A. Dada
A1 J. I. Sznajder
YR 2008
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/5/1107.abstract
AB Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and high-altitude pulmonary oedema build up excess lung fluid, which leads to alveolar hypoxia. In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and hypoxia, there is a decrease in oedema fluid clearance, due in part to the downregulation of plasma membrane sodium–potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase). In alveolar epithelial cells, acute hypoxia promotes Na,K-ATPase endocytosis from the plasma membrane to intracellular compartments, resulting in inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity. Exposure to prolonged hypoxia leads to degradation of plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase. The downregulation of plasma membrane Na,K-ATPase reduces adenosine triphosphate demand, as part of a survival mechanism of cellular adaptation to hypoxia. Hypoxia has also been shown to disassemble and degrade the keratin intermediate filament network, a fundamental component of the cell cytoskeleton, affecting epithelial barrier function. Accordingly, better understanding of the mechanisms regulating cellular adaptation to hypoxia may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome and high-altitude pulmonary oedema patients. SERIES “HYPOXIA: ERS LUNG SCIENCE CONFERENCE” Edited by N. Weissmann Number 2 in this Series