Hypoxia: a Review

Tissue hypoxia occurs where there is an imbalance between oxygen supply and consumption. Growing evidence from experimental and clinical studies points to the fundamental and patho-physiologic role of hypoxia in cancer, ischemic tolerance, and stroke. Hypoxia-induced changes in ion homeostasis, erythropoiesis, angiogenesis, proliferation and differentiation. This review outlines hypoxia effect at molecular level and describes briefly hypoxia role in the physiological and pathological conditions

Proteome analysis of mouse brain exposed to chronic hypoxia

Objective: Chronic hypoxia exists in many diseases, including cancer. The subject of our study is analysis of molecular pathways affected in the chronically hypoxic mouse brain. Materials and Methods: Using the emPAI protocol, we performed a quantitative proteomic approach to characterize the global proteome in the mouse brain exposed to 7% 02 for 48 hours. Results: Utilizing the emPAI protocol to estimate protein abundance and assign molar concentrations to all proteins, we were able to identify 33 proteins with significant changes in their expression. Conclusion: Deregulated proteins were mainly involved in cell metabolism, apoptosis, Ca(2+) signaling, pentose phosphate pathway, 14-3-3 protein mediated signaling cascades and protein degradation. The obtained data will provide some clues for understanding mechanisms with which cells respond and adapt to chronic hypoxia

Comparison of the Photobleaching and Photostability Traits of Alexa Fluor 568- and Fluorescein Isothiocyanate- conjugated Antibody

Objective: Synthetic fluorescent dyes that are conjugated to antibodies are useful tools toprobe molecules. Based on dye chemical structures, their photobleaching and photostabilityindices are quite diverse. It is generally believed that among different fluorescent dyes,Alexa Fluor family has greater photostability than traditional dyes like fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC) and Cy5. Alexa Fluor 568 is a member of Alexa Fluor family presumed tohave superior photostability and photobleahing profiles than FITC.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we conjugated Alexa Fluor 568 andFITC dyes to a mouse anti-human nestin monoclonal antibody (ANM) to acquire their photobleachingprofiles and photostability indices. Then, the fluorophore/antibody ratios werecalculated using a spectrophotometer. The photobleaching profiles and photostability indicesof conjugated antibodies were subsequently studied by immunocytochemistry (ICC).Samples were continuously illuminated and digital images acquired under a fluorescentmicroscope. Data were processed by ImageJ software.Results: Alexa Fluor 568 has a brighter fluorescence and higher photostability thanFITC.Conclusion: Alexa Fluor 568 is a capable dye to use in photostaining techniques and ithas a longer photostability when compared to FITC