title: Hyaluronan-coated extracellular vesicles--a novel link between hyaluronan and cancer.
abstract: The synthesis of hyaluronan (HA) on the plasma membrane is a unique and still partly mysterious way of macromolecular biosynthesis. HA forms pericellular coats around many cell types and accumulates in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of growing and renewing tissues. It is secreted to high concentrations in body fluids with antifriction properties like pleural, peritoneal, and synovial fluids, but is also detectable in plasma, saliva, and urine. In pathological states, like cancer and inflammation, the amount of HA is increased around cells, in the ECM, and in the body fluids. HA is an indicator of poor prognosis for cancer patients and creates a favorable environment for cellular growth and motility. The recent finding that HA-coated extracellular vesicles act both as a product of HA synthase activity and as special vehicles for HA, and perhaps carry signals important for malignant growth, provides a novel link between HA and cancer. HA could be carried on the surface of these vesicles in tissues and body fluids, creating beneficial environments by itself, or by associated molecules, for the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The HA-coated plasma membrane protrusions and vesicles shed from them are potential biomarkers in cancer and other HA-associated disease states.
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address: kirsi.rilla@uef.fi.
authors: Kirsi
authors: K
authors: Rilla
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Siiskonen
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Markku
authors: M
authors: Tammi
authors: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Raija
authors: R
authors: Tammi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D004285:Dogs; D055354:Exosomes; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D007249:Inflammation; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D013927:Thrombosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Biomarker; Cancer; Exosome; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular vesicle; HA synthase; Hyaluronan; Metastasis; Microvesicle; Microvillus