Hypoxia Generated by Avian Embryo Growth Induces the HIF-α Response and Critical Vascularization
Cancer research has transformed our view on cellular mechanisms for oxygen sensing. It has been documented that these mechanisms are important for maintaining animal tissues and life in environments where oxygen (O 2 ) concentrations fluctuate. In adult animals, oxygen sensing is governed by the Hyp...
Saved in:
| Published in: | Frontiers in ecology and evolution Vol. 9; p. 1 |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A
14-06-2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Cancer research has transformed our view on cellular mechanisms for oxygen sensing. It has been documented that these mechanisms are important for maintaining animal tissues and life in environments where oxygen (O
2
) concentrations fluctuate. In adult animals, oxygen sensing is governed by the Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) that are stabilized at low oxygen concentrations (hypoxia). However, the importance of hypoxia itself during development and for the onset of HIF-driven oxygen sensing remains poorly explored. Cellular responses to hypoxia associates with cell immaturity (stemness) and proper tissue and organ development. During mammalian development, the initial uterine environment is hypoxic. The oxygenation status during avian embryogenesis is more complex since O
2
continuously equilibrates across the porous eggshell. Here, we investigate HIF dynamics and use microelectrodes to determine O
2
concentrations within the egg and the embryo during the first four days of development. To determine the increased O
2
consumption rates, we also obtain the O
2
transport coefficient (
D
O2
) of eggshell and associated inner and outer shell membranes, both directly (using microelectrodes
in ovo
for the first time) and indirectly (using water evaporation at 37.5°C for the first time). Our results demonstrate a distinct hypoxic phase (<5% O
2
) between day 1 and 2, concurring with the onset of HIF-α expression. This phase of hypoxia is demonstrably necessary for proper vascularization and survival. Our indirectly determined
D
O2
values are about 30% higher than those determined directly. A comparison with previously reported values indicates that this discrepancy may be real, reflecting that water vapor and O
2
may be transported through the eggshell at different rates. Based on our obtained
D
O2
values, we demonstrate that increased O
2
consumption of the growing embryo appears to generate the phase of hypoxia, which is also facilitated by the initially small gas cell and low membrane permeability. We infer that the phase of
in ovo
hypoxia facilitates correct avian development. These results support the view that hypoxic conditions, in which the animal clade evolved, remain functionally important during animal development. The study highlights that insights from the cancer field pertaining to the cellular capacities by which both somatic and cancer cells register and respond to fluctuations in O
2
concentrations can broadly inform our exploration of animal development and success. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2296-701X 2296-701X |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fevo.2021.675800 |