Balb/C mice injected with HIF-1α inhibitor, 2-methoxyestradiol, resulted in progressive destruction of the articular cartilage, and HIF-1α inhibition in human osteoarthritic cartilage accelerates catabolic stress-induced apoptosis in vitro, thus suggesting a protective role for Hif-1α in osteoarthritis development31, 32. This evidence concerns the gene HIF1A and osteoarthritis.