title: Hyaluronic Acid as a Protein Polymeric Carrier: An Overview and a Report on Human Growth Hormone.
abstract: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural polysaccharide primarily present in the vitreous humor and in cartilages where it plays a key structural role in organizing the cartilage extracellular matrix. HA is used in a wide range of applications including treatment of arthritis (as a viscosupplementation agent for joints) and in a variety of cosmetic injectable products. Its safety profile is thus well established. Thanks to its high biocompatibility and targeting properties, HA has also been investigated for use as a carrier of anticancer drugs and, recently, also of proteins. Its role in the last case is a particularly challenging one as dedicated coupling chemistries are required to preserve the protein's conformation and activity. This study focuses on the state of the art on protein HAylation. New data from our laboratory on the local delivery of specific biologics to joints will also be outlined.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mero
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campisi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuppari
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosato
authors.forename: Oddone
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schiavon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padua, Italy. gianfranco.pasut@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasut
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D007596:Joints / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D011506:Proteins; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid