p53 upregulated by HIF-1α promotes gastric mucosal epithelial cells apoptosis in portal hypertensive gastropathy.

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is a serious complication of liver cirrhosis and a potential cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Mucosal apoptosis is an essential pathological feature of PHG. However, whether HIF-1α and p53 are involved in mucosal apoptosis and whether HIF-1α induces PHG by mediating p53 remains unclear.

METHODS

Gastric mucosal injury and apoptosis were examined in PHG patients and animal models. The mechanisms of HIF-1α- and p53-mediated apoptosis were analyzed. The GES-1 cell line was used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms using siRNA knockdown of HIF-1α and p53 in a hypoxic environment in vitro.

RESULTS

Epithelial apoptosis, HIF-1α, and p53 were markedly induced in the gastric mucosa of PHG. Apoptosis was attenuated in mice with HIF-1α- and p53-specific inhibitors. Apoptotic signaling factors were markedly induced in the gastric mucosa of PHG. Inhibition of p53 demonstrably attenuated the mucosal apoptosis; however, it did not affect HIF-1α expression. Conversely, targeted deletion of HIF-1α significantly inhibited p53 expression and attenuated the injury and p53-mediated apoptosis. Bax and Bcl-2 expression can be upregulated and downregulated by p53, respectively, to increasecleaved caspase-3 expression, which can be regulated by HIF-1α.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that HIF-1α regulates the p53-induced mucosal epithelial apoptotic signaling pathway and that HIF-1α and p53 are potential therapeutic targets for PHG.