Unfavourable consequences of chronic cardiac HIF-1α stabilization

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is the master modulator of hypoxic gene expression. The effects of chronically stabilized cardiac HIF-1α and its role in the diseased heart are not precisely known. The aims of this study were as follows: (i) to elucidate consequences of HIF-1α stabilization in the heart; (ii) to analyse long-term effects of HIF-1α stabilization with ageing and the ability of the HIF-1α overexpressing hearts to respond to increased mechanical load; and (iii) to analyse HIF-1α protein levels in failing heart samples.