Hypoxia induces RANK and RANKL expression by activating HIF-1α in breast cancer cells

► Hypoxia enhances the expression of RANK and RANKL in breast cancer cells. ► Hypoxia enhances the expression of RANK and RANKL through PI3K/Akt-HIF-1α pathway. ► The upregulation of RANK and RANKL expression results in increased cell migration.