STAT3/HIF-1α/fascin-1 axis promotes RA FLSs migration and invasion ability under hypoxia

•Overexpression of fascin-1 in rheumatoid arthritis synovium and FLS.•Plenty of colocalization of fascin-1 and HIF-1α in RA synovium.•Fascin-1 promoting the migration and invasion capabilities of RA FLS under experimental hypoxia.•The expression of fascin-1 regulated by HIF-1α in RA FLS under experimental hypoxia.•STAT3/HIF-1α/fascin-1 axis involved in regulating RA FLS migration and invasion under experimental hypoxia.