Hypoxia-Inducible Factor: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Title:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Volume: 14 Issue: 6

Author(s): Xuli Zhao, Ye Yue, Wengxiang Cheng, Jingchao Li, Yiping Hu, Ling qin and Peng Zhang

Affiliation:

Keywords: Angiogenesis, hypoxia-inducible factor, rheumatoid arthritis, regulation, tumor therapy, therapeutic target.

Abstract: The hypoxic microenvironment is a clinicopathological characteristic of many diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As a transcription factor activating the gene expression involved in processes such as cell metabolism and angiogenesis, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) has a central function in adaption to altered oxygen tension and even contributes to the progression of related diseases. In RA, HIF induces angiogenesis, cell migration, and cartilage destruction, inhibits the apoptosis of synovial cells and inflammatory cells and initiates glycolysis for energy supply by upregulating specific protein levels. HIF expression in RA can be regulated in both oxygen-dependent and independent fashions, leading to the aggravation of this disease. Therefore, HIF is one of the vital RA mediators. Based on the application of HIFtargeted drug research and development in tumors, HIF is a potential therapeutic target for treating RA.

Cite this article as:

Zhao Xuli, Yue Ye, Cheng Wengxiang, Li Jingchao, Hu Yiping, qin Ling and Zhang Peng, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Current Drug Targets 2013; 14 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450111314060010