Project description:Background: The number of red blood cells (RBCs) increases significantly in response to high-altitude hypoxic environments, and the RBC microRNA (miRNA) expression pattern is similar to that in whole blood. Studies have shown that miRNA in plasma can act as a circulating hypoxia-associated marker, but the effect of a high-altitude hypoxic environment on RBC-derived miRNAs has not yet been reported. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 20 Han Chinese individuals residing at 500 m (Sichuan Han), 10 migrant Han Chinese citizens residing at 3658 m (Tibet Han) and 12 native Tibetans, and RBC indices measurements and miRNA sequencing analyses were performed for the three sample groups. The levels of some markedly altered miRNAs at high altitude were subsequently measured from 5 randomly selected samples of each group by real-time PCR. Bioinformatic analyses was performed to determine the potential target genes of selected hypoxia-associated miRNAs. Results: Marked changes of several RBC indices were observed among the Tibet Han population, the Tibetan population and the Sichuan Han population. A total of 516 miRNAs derived from RBCs were initially identified by miRNA sequencing in the three sample groups. Compared with the Sichuan Han population, 49 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the Tibet Han population (17 upregulated and 32 downregulated). 12 upregulated and 21 downregulated miRNAs were observed in the Tibetan population compared with the Sichuan Han population. A total of 40 RBC miRNAs were differentially expressed in the Tibetan population (15 upregulated and 25 downregulated) compared with the Tibet Han population. Two significantly altered miRNAs with the highest expression levels (miRNA-144-5p and miR-30b-5p) were selected for real-time PCR analysis, and the results were consistent with those of miRNA sequencing. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses showed that some potential target genes of miR-144-5p and miR-30b-5p are involved in the erythroid- hypoxia-, and nitric oxide (NO)-related signaling pathways in response to hypoxia. Conclusion: Our findings provide clear evidence, for the first time, that a high-altitude hypoxic environment significantly affects human RBC miRNA profiles.
Project description:Altitude acclimatization is the physiological process to restore oxygen delivery to the tissues and promote the oxygen application under high altitude hypoxia. High altitude illness could happen in individuals who did not get acclimatization. Unraveling the molecular underpinnings of altitude acclimatization would help people to understand the beneficial response of body to high altitude hypoxia and disturbed biological process in un-acclimatized individuals. Here, we measured physiological adjustments and circulating microRNAs (cmiRNAs) profiles of individuals exposed to high altitude to explore the altitude acclimatization in humans.
Project description:Understanding molecular mechanism associated with high altitude exposure during acclimatization/adaptation/maladaptation. Data reveals specific components of the complex molecular circuitry underlying high altitude pulmonary edema. Individualized outcome prediction were constructed through expression profiling of 39400 genes in sea level sojourners who were acclimatized to high altitude and grouped as controls (n=14), high altitude natives (n=14) and individuals who developed high altitude pulmonary edema within 48-72 hours after air induction to high altitude (n=17).
Project description:The Qing-Tibet Plateau is characterized by low oxygen pressure, which is an important biomedical and ecological stressor. However, the variation in gene expression during periods of stay on the plateau has not been well studied. We recruited eight volunteers to stay on the plateau for 3, 7 and 30 days. Human Clariom D arrays were used to measure changes in the mRNA expression profiles in these volunteers. ANOVA indicated that 699 genes were significantly differentially expressed in response to entering the plateau during hypoxic exposure. The genes with changes in transcript abundance were involved in the terms phosphoprotein, acetylation, protein binding, and protein transport. Furthermore, numerous genes involved in hematopoietic functions, including erythropoiesis and immunoregulation, were differentially expressed in response to acute hypoxia. This phenomenon may also explain why the majority of people entering the plateau do not have excessive erythrocyte proliferation and are susceptible to infection.
Project description:Purpose: High-altitude adaptive evolution of transcription, and the convergence and divergence of transcriptional alteration across species in response to high-altitude environments, is an important topic of broad interest to the general biology community. Our study aims to answer this important biological question. Methods: We generated deep transcriptome data of high- and low- altitude populations across four species: chicken, pig, goat and sheep, as well as high-altitude yak and low-altitude cattle, from six tissues (heart, kidney, liver, lung, skeletal muscle and spleen). Results: Here we provide a comprehensive comparative transcriptome landscape of expression and alternative splicing variation between low- and high-altitude populations across multiple species for distinct tissues. Conclusions: Our data serves a valuable resource for further study on adaptive transcription evolution and identification of candidate adaptive genes.
Project description:This study evaluates genetic and phenotypic variation in the high altitude Colla population living in the Argentinean Andes above 3500 m. They were compared to the Wichà population living in the nearby lowlands of the Gran Chaco region. This study attempts to pinpoint evolutionary mechanisms underlying adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia. We have genotyped 25 individuals from both populations for 730,525 SNPs. DNA from 25 saliva samples from Collas living >3500 m and 25 saliva samples from Wichà living <500 m from the Province of Salta in Argentina was genotyped
Project description:This study evaluates genetic and phenotypic variation in the high altitude Colla population living in the Argentinean Andes above 3500 m. They were compared to the Wichí population living in the nearby lowlands of the Gran Chaco region. This study attempts to pinpoint evolutionary mechanisms underlying adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia. We have genotyped 25 individuals from both populations for 730,525 SNPs.
Project description:For individuals migrating to or residing permanently at high-altitude regions, environmental hypobaric hypoxia is a primary challenge which induces several physiological or pathological responses. It is well documented that human beings adapt to hypobaric hypoxia via some protective mechanisms, such as erythropoiesis and overproduction of hemoglobin, however little is known on the changes of plasma proteome profiles in accommodation to high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia. In the present study, we investigated differential plasma proteomes of high altitude natives and lowland normal controls by a TMT-based proteomic approach. A total of 818 proteins were identified, of which 137 were differentially altered. Bioinformatics (including GO, KEGG, protein-protein interactions, etc.) analysis revealed the dysregulated proteins were primarily involved in complement and coagulation cascades, anti-oxidative stress and glycolysis. Validations via magnetic Luminex® Assays and ELISA demonstrated that CCL18, C9, PF4, MPO and S100A9 notably up-regulated, and HRG and F11 down-regulated in high altitude natives compared with lowland controls, which were consistent with the proteomic results. Our findings highlight the roles of complement and coagulation cascades, anti-oxidative stress and glycolysis in acclimatization to hypobaric hypoxia and provide a foundation for developing potential diagnostic or/and therapeutic biomarkers for high altitude hypobaric hypoxia-induced diseases.