Role of HIF-1 α signaling pathway in osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Publication date: March–April 2017 Source:Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia (English Edition), Volume 57, Issue 2 Author(s): Javier Fernández-Torres, Gabriela Angélica Martínez-Nava, María Concepción Gutiérrez-Ruíz, Luis Enrique Gómez-Quiroz, Marwin Gutiérrez Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is frequently diagnosed and managed in primary care; it is characterized by loss of articular hyaline cartilage, which is a unique connective tissue that physiologically lacks blood vessels. Articular cartilage survives in a microenvironment devoid of oxygen, which is regulated by hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α). HIF-1α is considered the main transcriptional regulator of cellular and developmental response to hypoxia. To date, the relevance of HIF-1α in the assessment of cartilage has increased since its participation is essential in the homeostasis of this tissue. Taking into account the new emerging insights of HIF-1α in the scientific literature in the last years, we focused the present review on the potential role of HIF-1α signaling pathway in OA development, especially in how some genetic factors may influence the maintenance or breakdown of articular cartilage.
Source: Revista Brasileira de Reumatologia - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research