Fig. 7. Extended durations of low pO2 exposure
caused cytoskeletal re-arrangements, perturbations in energy metabolism
and inflammatory signaling in order to maintain redox homeostasis. STAT3
was a central protein modulating these processes. We qualitatively
assessed cytoskeletal re-arrangements and inflammation by assaying
specific proteins (using ELISA) in human plasma samples that were
obtained from human volunteers undergoing extended high altitude stay
(low pO2 conditions). Cytoskeletal re-arrangements
(cofilin and α-1-AT) and inflammation (S100A8) were observed to be
perturbed in humans.