Hypoxia‐induced production of stromal cell–derived factor 1 (CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor by synovial fibroblasts

Abstract

As with VEGF, SDF-1 expression is induced by hypoxia; however, cytokines induce VEGF but not SDF-1. Hypoxic conditions in RA synovium, which are likely to be transient and episodic, may contribute to the persistence of synovitis by inducing VEGF and SDF-1.