Long-term stay in a high-mountain environment with low oxygen content helps protect the heart. Heart cells in such an environment activate proteins such as HIF-1α that kick-start molecular mechanisms to defend themselves. The team from the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences found that the presence of the HIF-1α protein is key to the active removal of dysfunctional or redundant mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories. The scientists have discovered a new cellular mechanism that helps protect the heart from the consequences of acute myocardial infarction.
Reference: Alanova P. et al.: HIF-1α limits myocardial infarction by promoting mitophagy in mouse hearts adapted to chronic hypoxia. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2024 Sep;240(9):e14202. DOI
