About this Research Topic
Decreased tissue oxygen (O2) partial pressure (hypoxemia) presents a significant physiologic challenge across much of the animal kingdom, and it is an example of a stressful factor that pushes the limits at which life can persevere.
Though the current concentration of atmospheric O2 is 20.95%, it has been as low as 15 % from the beginning of the Cambria period, about 540 million years ago, when vertebrates first emerged. Evolutionary forces have allowed for the survival (if not thriving) of a multitude of vertebrates through such globally low O2 troughs and inherently low O2 environments.
In vertebrates, hemoglobin (Hb) is the cornerstone molecule in delivering O2 to tissue, and it is necessary to preserve human life. Unsurprisingly, Hb structure, function, and quantity differences are observed within the Vertebrata subphylum subjected to low O2 environments.
Although decreased O2 availability is a challenge for survival, hypobaric hypoxia (high and extreme altitude) is an increasingly common aspect of human existence and can be associated with functional impairment and even life-threatening conditions. Indeed, several human activities have been performed at high altitudes, such as work (mining activity), sports, tourism, and basic living, which generate the need to find new and novel approaches to improve human outcomes during hypobaric hypoxia exposure. A host of diseases also lead to hypoxia and hypoxemia and are the cause of a significant human toll in morbidity and mortality. Thus, considering the pivotal role of Hb, the present Research Topic aims to cover, from basic to clinical human research, the Hb’s function during short to long-term exposure to hypobaric hypoxia.
This Frontiers Research Topic aims to further knowledge of Hb’s role in vertebrates’ (including humans) response to hypoxia, either acute or chronic. Understanding these adaptive and acclimation responses and their integration into whole animal physiology has a real potential to enhance therapies in human hypoxia.
The study of hemoglobin structure, function, and its effects draws on a broad range of scientific disciplines. As such, we welcome the submission of scientific papers from any discipline that can further the knowledge of Hb related to hypoxia and the submission of manuscripts to this new Frontiers Research Topic issue in the form of original research, reviews, mini-reviews, opinions, and hypotheses covering the role of Hb during hypobaric hypoxia. This collection will be focused from cellular and molecular biology to physiological adaptive mechanisms at cell, tissue, and organ levels.
Though the current concentration of atmospheric O2 is 20.95%, it has been as low as 15 % from the beginning of the Cambria period, about 540 million years ago, when vertebrates first emerged. Evolutionary forces have allowed for the survival (if not thriving) of a multitude of vertebrates through such globally low O2 troughs and inherently low O2 environments.
In vertebrates, hemoglobin (Hb) is the cornerstone molecule in delivering O2 to tissue, and it is necessary to preserve human life. Unsurprisingly, Hb structure, function, and quantity differences are observed within the Vertebrata subphylum subjected to low O2 environments.
Although decreased O2 availability is a challenge for survival, hypobaric hypoxia (high and extreme altitude) is an increasingly common aspect of human existence and can be associated with functional impairment and even life-threatening conditions. Indeed, several human activities have been performed at high altitudes, such as work (mining activity), sports, tourism, and basic living, which generate the need to find new and novel approaches to improve human outcomes during hypobaric hypoxia exposure. A host of diseases also lead to hypoxia and hypoxemia and are the cause of a significant human toll in morbidity and mortality. Thus, considering the pivotal role of Hb, the present Research Topic aims to cover, from basic to clinical human research, the Hb’s function during short to long-term exposure to hypobaric hypoxia.
This Frontiers Research Topic aims to further knowledge of Hb’s role in vertebrates’ (including humans) response to hypoxia, either acute or chronic. Understanding these adaptive and acclimation responses and their integration into whole animal physiology has a real potential to enhance therapies in human hypoxia.
The study of hemoglobin structure, function, and its effects draws on a broad range of scientific disciplines. As such, we welcome the submission of scientific papers from any discipline that can further the knowledge of Hb related to hypoxia and the submission of manuscripts to this new Frontiers Research Topic issue in the form of original research, reviews, mini-reviews, opinions, and hypotheses covering the role of Hb during hypobaric hypoxia. This collection will be focused from cellular and molecular biology to physiological adaptive mechanisms at cell, tissue, and organ levels.
Keywords: Hypoxia, Hemoglobin, Oxygen Delivery, Oxygen Content, Altitude Performance
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
