Marked and rapid effects of pharmacological HIF-2 alpha antagonism on hypoxic ventilatory control

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Cheng, Xiaotong ; Prange-Barczynska, Maria ; Fielding, James W. ; Zhang, Minghao ; Burrell, Alana L. ; Lima, Joanna Dcc ; Eckardt, Luise ; La Argles, Isobel ; Pugh, Christopher W. ; Buckler, Keith J. ; Robbins, Peter A. ; Hodson, Emma J. ; Bruick, Richard K. ; Collinson, Lucy M. ; Rastinejad, Fraydoon ; Bishop, Tammie ; Ratcliffe, Peter J.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation; v. 130, n. 5, p. 15-pg., 2020-05-01.

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is strikingly upregulated in many types of cancer, and there is great interest in applying inhibitors of HIF as anticancer therapeutics. The most advanced of these are small molecules that target the HIF-2 isoform through binding the PAS-B domain of HIF-2 alpha. These molecules are undergoing clinical trials with promising results in renal and other cancers where HIF-2 is considered to be driving growth. Nevertheless, a central question remains as to whether such inhibitors affect physiological responses to hypoxia at relevant doses. Here, we show that pharmacological HIF-2 alpha inhibition with PT2385, at doses similar to those reported to inhibit tumor growth, rapidly impaired ventilatory responses to hypoxia, abrogating both ventilatory acclimatization and carotid body cell proliferative responses to sustained hypoxia. Mice carrying a HIF-2 alpha PAS-B S305M mutation that disrupts PT2385 binding, but not dimerization with HIF-1 beta, did not respond to PT2385, indicating that these effects are on-target. Furthermore, the finding of a hypomorphic ventilatory phenotype in untreated HIF-2 alpha S305M mutant mice suggests a function for the HIF-2 alpha PAS-B domain beyond heterodimerization with HIF-1 beta. Although PT2385 was well tolerated, the findings indicate the need for caution in patients who are dependent on hypoxic ventilatory drive. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/20083-1 - Mechanisms of HIF-2 dependent cellular proliferation in type I cells of the carotid body
• Grantee: Joanna Darck Carola Correia Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate