The effects of hypoxia on human skin, lung and tendon cells in vitro.

Fibroblasts derived from human foetal tendon, skin and lung were cultured in media containing dissolved oxygen at concentrations of 20%, 10% and 2.7%. Total protein and collagen synthesis were reduced at 2.7% oxygen, tendon-derived cells proving significantly less sensitive than lung and skin fibroblasts. The effects of hypoxia were more marked in low-density cultures than in confluent cultures. Proliferation rates varied greatly between the 3 cell lines but were not affected by hypoxia. The implications of these results with respect to tendon degeneration and rupture are discussed.