Hypobaric hypoxia in 3000 m altitude leads to a significant decrease in circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells in
Introduction:
Hypoxia is known to affect the immune system. It leads to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and influences the number of different inflammatory cells. This study investigates the effect of hypoxia on the number of different subsets of circulating human dendritic cells (DCs) as professional antigen-presenting cells.
Methods:
The number of circulating DCs was determined via Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis in peripheral blood of 17 healthy volunteers (age 35.9±2.6 years) in normoxia (baseline, BL), hypoxia (altitude 3000 m, alpine passive escalation), and again normoxia (follow-up, FU).
Results:
Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia in high altitude, 3000 m, led to a significant decrease in the participants' oxygen saturation, and an increase in the breathing frequency whereas blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly altered. FACS analysis revealed a significant hypoxia induced decrease in circulating plasmacytoid (p) DCs compared to baseline levels (BL: 0.10 [0.08-0.18] % of white blood cell count (WBC), 3000 m: 0.03 [0.02-0.06] % WBC, p < 0.001). During follow up, again a significant reconstitution of circulating pDCs was observed (FU: 0.16±[0.11-0.26] % WBC, p = 0.0013).
Conclusion:
Hypobaric hypoxia caused by exposure to altitude results in a significant reduction in the number of circulating pDCs.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Respiration
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation
Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated....


