Why Getting Used to Heat Helps Us Adapt to Extreme Conditions

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to handle high temperatures or low oxygen levels better than others? A recent study in mice suggests that acclimating to heat can actually help us adapt to extreme environments. Here's how it works: Scientists created a heat acclimation (HA) model using mice and brain endothelial cells. They exposed the mice and cells to intermittent heat to see how they'd respond. The results? Both the mice and cells became more tolerant to heat and low oxygen (hypoxia).But how does this happen? The study found that heat acclimation boosts the expression of two key proteins, HIF-1α and HSP70. These proteins work together to protect cells from stress. When HIF-1α and HSP70 interact, it stabilizes HIF-1α. This means HIF-1α isn't broken down as quickly, so it can keep protecting cells for longer. But when scientists blocked HSP70 or HIF-1α, the protective effect was weakened. So, getting used to heat can make us more resilient to tough conditions by keeping HIF-1α around longer. This discovery opens up new ways to help people adapt to extreme environments.