Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha deficiency affects chondrogenesis of adipose-derived adult stromal cells TISSUE ENGINEERING Malladi, P., Xu, Y., Chiou, M., Giaccia, A. J., Longaker, M. T. 2007; 13 (6): 1159-1171

Abstract

Increased cartilage-related disease, poor regeneration of cartilage tissue, and limited treatment options have led to intense research in tissue engineering of cartilage. Adipose-derived adult stromal cells (ADAS) are a promising cell source for skeletal tissue engineering; understanding ADAS cellular signaling and chondrogenesis will advance cell-based therapies in cartilage repair. Chondrocytes are unique-they are continuously challenged by a hypoxic microenvironment. Hypoxia inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1alpha), a critical mediator of a cell's response to hypoxia, plays a significant role in chondrocyte survival, growth arrest, and differentiation. By using an established in vitro 3-dimensional micromass system, we investigated the role of HIF-1alpha in chondrogenesis. Targeted deletion of HIF-1alpha in ADAS substantially inhibited the chondrogenic pathway specifically. In marked contrast, deletion of HIF-1alpha did not affect osteogenic differentiation but enhanced adipogenic differentiation. This study demonstrates the critical and specific interplay between HIF-1alpha and chondrogenesis in vitro.

View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.2006.0265

View details for Web of Science ID 000247237600003

View details for PubMedID 17518738