Tehran University Medical Journal

Angiogenesis, as the process of new vessel formation from pre-existing vessels is dependent on a delicate equilibrium between endogenous angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. However, under pathological conditions, this tight regulation becomes lost which can result in the formation of the different diseases such as cancer. Angiogenesis is a complex process that includes many gene products that are produced by different cells. Each of the processes influenced by specific genes that their expression can be regulated by hypoxi inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Hypoxia, the imbalance between the oxygen in need and the oxygen available, usually occurs in tumors and ischemic cardiovascular diseases. In order to overcome this challenge, tumors regulate and control the expression of genes related to angiogenesis, cell cycle and metabolism using hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 was first recognized as a transcription factor involved in hypoxia-induced erythropoietin expression. As angiogenesis pathway molecules are being described, this factor has been characterized as a key transcription regulator for these molecules. In this review article, after discussing HIF-1 structure and characterization, the role of this important factor in angiogenesis and cancer as a pathological case and finally, the clinical applications has been evaluated. Articles related to the key words of hypoxia, HIF-1 and angiogenesis were searched from valid databases such as Springer Link, google scholar, Pubmed and Sciencedirect. Then, the articles related to the role of hypoxia and HIF-1 in activation of genes that are involved in angiogenesis and cancer were searched and selected for this study. Studies show that, HIF-1 activation of genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), etc., induced angiogenesis in the tumor cells. Furthermore, the activation of genes such as insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) and MAPK and PI3K signaling pathway will also enable the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. HIF-1 by activating genes involved in angiogenesis and also activates signaling pathways associated with cell survival and proliferation plays an important role in the stability and growth of tumors. Therefore, better understanding of molecular mechanisms associated with this factor can be effective in the treatment of cancer.