Hypoxiainducible factor(HIF)-1α is an important molecule that responds to hypoxia, promotes angiogenesis,modulates pH, induces cell autophagy or programmed cell death, and facilitates the differentiation and self-renewal of mesenchymal stem cells. HIF-1α is also involved in reparation and remolding of periodontal tissues as well as in helping cells to adapt to hypoxia and promote the formation and resorption of the alveolar bone. Antisense hypoxia inducible factor(aHIF)-1α is a natural antisense transcript that negatively controls HIF-1α. HIF-1α may have a feedback effect on aHIF-1α. HIF-1α is an important biomarker expressed in primary and metastasis sites in several types of for cancers. HIF-1α is regarded as target for treating cancers. Understanding the functions and regulatory mechanisms of HIF-1α and aHIF-1α provides new opportunity to discover targets for treatment of different diseases and modulate physiological processes.
