A Potential Role of Angiogenetic Factors in Cartilage Degradation

Abstract

Although articular cartilage is an avascular tissue, accumulating evidence suggests that angiogenesis and angiogenesis-related factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could be involved in the pathophysiology of arthritis. Expression of the angiogenic factors are known to be regulated by hypoxic stimuli, thus indicating a hypoxia-angiogenesis axis occurring in the inflammatory joint milieu which might lead to cartilage destruction. Further investigations may open an avenue to establish a novel strategy against arthritis, by targeting the angiogenic process in articular cartilage.