Regulatory pathway of hypoxia-inducible factor and its role in intestinal diseases

Intestinal tract is the largest organ of the human body. It plays an important role in the absorption of nutrients and the resistance to pathogens. At the same time, it is also regulated by oxygen supply. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a key factor in the regulation of hypoxia and plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal environment. In the development of inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal tumor, ischemia-perfusion injury and intestinal flora imbalance, HIF responds to inflammation and hypoxia, and causes an important adaptive response in intestinal mucosa, thus maintaining the function of the intestinal epithelium or promoting the development of intestinal tumors. In this review, the recent advances in HIF structure, function and regulatory pathways, and its role in intestinal diseases are reviewed.