title: Hyaluronan cross-linking: a protective mechanism in inflammation?
abstract: Production of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan is increased at sites of inflammation, often correlating with the accumulation of leukocytes. Mounting evidence suggests that this polysaccharide can be organized into a wide variety of molecular architectures by its association with specific binding proteins, leading to the formation of fibrils and cable-like structures involving a large number of hyaluronan chains. We propose that hyaluronan cross-linking is part of a protective mechanism, promoting adhesion of leukocytes to the hyaluronan complexes rather than enabling contact with inflammation-promoting receptors on the underlying tissues. Leukocytes are thus maintained in a non-activated state by appropriate receptor clustering or receptor co-engagement. Additionally, hyaluronan networks might serve as scaffolds to prevent the loss of extracellular matrix components during inflammation and to sequester proinflammatory mediators.
authors.affiliation: MRC Immunochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK. tony.day@bioch.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: de la Motte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid