HIFs (Hypoxia-inducible factors) are transcription factors that respond to changes in available oxygen in the cellular environment, to be specific, to decreases in oxygen, or hypoxia. The HIF signaling cascade mediates the effects of hypoxia, the state of low oxygen concentration, on the cell. Hypoxia often keeps cells from differentiating. However, hypoxia promotes the formation of blood vessels, and is important for the formation of a vascular system in embryos, and cancer tumors. The hypoxia in wounds also promotes the migration of keratinocytes and the restoration of the epithelium. In general, HIFs are vital to development. In mammals, deletion of the HIF-1 genes results in perinatal death. HIF-1 has been shown to be vital to chondrocyte survival, allowing the cells to adapt to low-oxygen conditions within the growth plates of bones. HIF plays a central role in the regulation of human metabolism. Recently, several drugs that act as selective HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors have been developed.
Roxadustat (FG-4592) is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) that promotes erythropoiesis through increasing endogenous erythropoietin, improving iron regulation, and reducing hepcidin.
PT2399 is a potent and selective HIF-2α antagonist, which directly binds to HIF-2α PAS B domain with an IC50 of 6 nM. PT2399 displays potent antitumor activity in vivo.
PT2977 (MK-6482) is an orally active and selective HIF-2α inhibitor with an IC50 of 9 nM. PT2977, as a second-generation HIF-2α inhibitor, increases potency and improves pharmacokinetic profile. PT2977 is a potential treatment for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
VCE-004.8, a semi-synthetic multitarget cannabinoquinoid, is a specific PPARγ and CB2 receptor dual agonist with potent anti-inflammatory activity. VCE-004.8 inhibits prolyl-hydroxylases (PHDs) and activates the HIF pathway. VCE-004.8 attenuates adipogenesis and prevents diet-induced obesity.
Daprodustat (GSK1278863) is an orally active hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor being developed for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease.
Oltipraz has an inhibitory effect on HIF-1α activation in a time-dependent manner, completely abrogating HIF-1α induction at ≥10 μM concentrations, the IC50 of Oltipraz for HIF-1α inhibition is 10 μM.
Chlorogenic acid is a major phenolic compound in coffee and tea. It plays several important and therapeutic roles such as antioxidant activity, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, neuroprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, anti-microbial, anti-hypertension.
KC7F2 is a potent hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway inhibitor with an IC50 of 20 μM in LN229-HRE-AP cells, and with potential as a cancer therapy agent.
Molidustat (BAY 85-3934) is a novel inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) with mean IC50 values of 480 nM for PHD1, 280 nM for PHD2, and 450 nM for PHD3.
