[Matrix gene regulation in cartilage].

Regulation of Col2a1 is a key event in the cartilage development. Many factors including cell adhesion, hypoxia, growth factors or cytokines regulate various transcription factors or co-factors which influence the expression of Col2a1. Sox9 is a key transcriptional activator that is involved in most of these events by cooperating or interfering with these factors. The balance of positive and negative regulators determines the level of matrix gene expression.