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

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is frequently diagnosed andmanaged in primary care; it is characterized by loss of articular hyaline cartilage, which is aunique connective tissue that physiologically lacks blood vessels. Articular cartilage survivesin 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 developmentalresponse to hypoxia. To date, the relevance of HIF-1α in the assessment of cartilage hasincreased since its participation is essential in the homeostasis of this tissue. Taking intoaccount 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 OAdevelopment, especially in how some genetic factors may influence the maintenance orbreakdown of articular cartilage.