HIF-2α - A mediator of stem cell altruism?

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been reported to confer cytoprotection in the context of tissue injury. This is somewhat counterintuitive given that microenvironmental factors such as hypoxia and oxidative stress may activate p53 and result in death and differentiation of these hESCs. In this article, we discuss a novel mechanism through which hESCs can be re-programmed (through exposure to hypoxia/oxidative stress) to transiently suppress p53, enhance 'stemness', and exist in a highly cytoprotective and undifferentiated state. © 2012 BioMed Central Ltd.