Human Articular Chondrocytes Retain Their Phenotype in Sustained Hypoxia While Normoxia Promotes Their Immunomodulatory Potential

Abstract

Hypoxic conditions encourage retention of a chondrogenic phenotype with some immunomodulatory potential, whereas normoxia promotes dedifferentiation of chondrocytes toward an MSC phenotype with loss of chondrogenic potency but enhanced immunomodulatory capacity.