Angiogenic/lymphangiogenic factors and adaptation to extreme altitudes during an expedition to Mount Everest.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the correlation between production of angiogenic [vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and interleukin 8 (IL-8)] and lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and D) and adaptation to high altitude (>8000 m). Erythropoietin (EPO) served as a positive control.


METHODS
We analysed the percentage of oxygen saturation and the plasmatic contents of VEGF-A, C, D, IL-8 and EPO in seven mountaineers and four Sherpas during an expedition to Mount Everest. Acute mountain sickness was also evaluated using the Lake Louise score.


RESULTS
Whereas VEGF-A, IL-8, VEGF-C and EPO were transiently up-regulated at 5000 m and decreased at the highest altitudes, VEGF-D remained elevated throughout the ascent. Sherpas had increased basal levels of VEGF-A, C, IL-8 and EPO and up-regulation of all the tested factors when they passed the altitude at which they lived.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic factors is up-regulated directly or indirectly by altitude-dependent hypoxia. Both factors could be involved in a mechanism of adaptation to high altitudes.
Patitucci
M
M
UMR CNRS 6543, Institute of Signalling, Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
Lugrin
D
D
Pagès
G
G
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000175:diagnosis; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000097:blood; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000097:blood
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D016209:Interleukin-8; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D; D004921:Erythropoietin; D010100:Oxygen