Inflammation and coagulation abnormalities via the activation of the HMGB1-RAGE/NF-κB and F2/Rho pathways in lung injury induced by acute hypoxia

High-altitude acute hypoxia is commonly associated with respiratory cardiovascular diseases. The inability to adapt to acute hypoxia may lead to cardiovascular dysfunction, lung injury and even death. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of the adaptation to high-altitude acute hypoxia may reveal novel therapeutic approaches with which to counteract the detrimental consequences of hypoxia. In the present study, a high-altitude environment was simulated in a rat model in order to investigate the role of the high mobility group protein-1 (HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/NF-κB and F2/Rho signaling pathways in lung injury induced by acute hypoxia. It was found that acute hypoxia caused inflammation through the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway and coagulation dysfunction through the F2/Rho pathway, both of which may be key processes in acute hypoxia-induced lung injury. The present study provides new insight into the molecular basis of lung injury induced by acute hypoxia. The simultaneous activation of the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB and F2/Rho signaling pathways plays a critical role in hypoxia-induced inflammatory responses and coagulation abnormalities, and provides a theoretical basis for the development of potential therapeutic strategies.