Influences of HIF-lα on Bax/Bcl-2 and VEGF expressions in rats with spinal cord injury

• Published in: International journal of clinical and experimental pathology Vol. 6; no. 11; pp. 2312 - 2322
• Main Authors: Chen, Mao-Hua, Ren, Qing-Xian, Yang, Wen-Fa, Chen, Xiang-Lin, Lu, Chuan, Sun, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States e-Century Publishing Corporation 2013
• Subjects: Adenoviridae - genetics; Animals; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; Behavior, Animal; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genetic Therapy; Genetic Vectors; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit - genetics; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit - metabolism; Male; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Original; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord - blood supply; Spinal Cord - metabolism; Spinal Cord - pathology; Spinal Cord - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - genetics; Spinal Cord Injuries - metabolism; Spinal Cord Injuries - pathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; Time Factors; Up-Regulation; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; spinal cord injury; apoptosis; HIF-1α; vascular endothelial growth factor
• ISSN: 1936-2625

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is a subunit of HIF-l and thought to be able to protect hypoxic cells from apoptosis or necrosis under ischemic and anoxic conditions. This study aimed to investigated whether recombinant adenovirus vector over-expressing HIF-lα could affect apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. A total of 60 male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham, Control, Ad-Blank and Ad-HIF-1α groups. 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after surgery, the behavioral recovery was evaluated with BBB scales. Then, rats were sacrificed and the spinal cord was collected for detection of Bcl-2, Bax and VEGF expressions by immunohistochemistry. Results showed the Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF and HIF-lα expressions increased in animals with SCI, but the increase in Bcl-2, VEGF and HIF-lα expressions were higher in Ad-HIF-1α group when compared with other groups, but Bax expression decreased significantly. In addition, administration of Ad-HIF-1α significantly reduced apoptotic cells and promoted the recovery of neurological function. In conclusion, administration of Ad-HIF-1α after SCI could ameliorate neuronal apoptosis and promote angiogenesis in rats. Our study provides a basis for further exploration of the relationship between HIF1α and SCI.