Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in myeloid cell-driven host defense and tissue homeostasis.

The impact of tissue oxygenation and hypoxia on immune cells has been recognized as a major determinant of host defense and tissue homeostasis. In this review, we will summarize the available data on tissue oxygenation in inflamed and infected tissue and the effect of low tissue oxygenation on myeloid cell function. Furthermore, we will highlight effects of the master regulators of the cellular hypoxic response, hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF), in myeloid cells in antimicrobial defense and tissue homeostasis.