Basic & Clinical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 816-821.doi: 10.16352/j.issn.1001-6325.2025.06.0816

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The impact of obstructive sleep apnea on the remodeling of the immune system and its clinical significance

LI Jieqiong, XIAO Yi*   

  1. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
  • Received:2025-01-03 Revised:2025-03-25 Online:2025-06-05 Published:2025-05-26

Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multifactor respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of airway collapse, leading to intermittent hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and sleep fragmentation. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has profound effects on various body systems, particularly the immune system. Additionally, the suppression of the related inflammatory molecules mitigates IH-induced inflammation and tissue injury, presenting new potential targets for treating OSA-related complications. This review aims to explore the mechanisms by which OSA reshapes the immune system and its clinical significance.

Key words: obstructive sleep apnea, immune system, clinical significance

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