Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α inhibits the fibroblast‐like markers type I and type III collagen during hypoxia‐induced chondrocyte redifferentiation: Hypoxia not only induces type II collagen and aggrecan, but it also inhibits type I and type III collagen in the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α–dependent redifferentiation of chondrocytes

Abstract

This study is the first to show a bimodal role of HIF-1alpha in cartilage homeostasis, since HIF-1alpha was shown to favor specific markers and to impair dedifferentiation. This suggests that manipulation of HIF-1alpha could represent a promising approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis.