A model of exposure to extreme environmental heat uncovers the human transcriptome to heat stress

The molecular mechanisms by which individuals subjected to environmental heat stress either adapt or develop heat-related complications are not well understood. We analysed the changes in blood mononuclear gene expression patterns in human volunteers exposed to an extreme heat in a sauna (temperature of 78 ± 6 °C). Fifteen male and female volunteers were subjected to heat stress, and PBMCs were analyzed from three time points, namely: before exposure (T0), at the end of heat exposure (T1), and 1 hour after the end of heat stress (T2).