Regulation of VEGF expression by HIF-1α in the femoral head cartilage following ischemia osteonecrosis

Chi Zhang, Yang Li, Reuel Cornelia, Susanne Swisher, Harry Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Juvenile femoral head osteonecrosis is due to disruption of blood supply which results in ischemic injury. Angiogenesis is an essential component for the healing of damaged head. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a master regulator of cellular response to hypoxia. Our histological studies showed increased vessel formation in cartilage in the ischemic group compared to the control group in a pig model of femoral head osteonecrosis. Microarray and RT-PCR indicated that VEGF expression was upregulated along with HIF-1α in the ischemic side. Immunohistochemistry assay demonstrated that HIF-1α and VEGF were upregulated in chondrocytes in ischemic femoral heads. Both HIF-1α and VEGF expression increased in primary chondrocytes under hypoxia station. Interestingly, an HIF-1α activator DFO further enhanced VEGF expression. Moreover, transfection of siRNA directed against HIF-1α led to inhibition of VEGF expression. Taken together, our data indicated that upregulation of VEGF during hypoxia in chondrocyte is mediated partially through HIF-1α.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number650
JournalScientific reports
Volume2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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