title: Hyaluronan and human endothelial cell behavior.
abstract: Hyaluronan (HA) is the only nonsulphated glycosaminoglycan of extracellular matrix. In mammals HA is synthesised by three homologues HA synthases: HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3. The HA is daily catabolized by the hyaluronidase enzymes to either oligosaccharides or larger polymer. Despite its simple structure, HA is involved in a great number of biological functions, such as cell proliferation and migration, morphogenesis, wound healing, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Moreover, an important biological role is related to HA oligosaccharides that stimulate cytokine secretion and endothelial cell proliferation. Nevertheless no data about HA presence in endothelium are reported in literature. Several studies underline HA involvement in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, new vessels formation, and leucocytes recruitment. We review the role of HA in endothelial cell in normal condition and during vascular injury.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche, Universita degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Genasetti
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vigetti
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karousou
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moretto
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bartolini
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pallotti
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Passi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases