title: Biology and biotechnology of hyaluronan.
abstract: The hyaluronan (HA) polymer is a critical component of extracellular matrix with a remarkable structure: is a linear and unbranched polymer without sulphate or phosphate groups. It is ubiquitous in mammals showing several biological functions, ranging from cell proliferation and migration to angiogenesis and inflammation. For its critical biological functions the amount of HA in tissues is carefully controlled by different mechanisms including covalent modification of the synthetic enzymes and epigenetic control of their gene expression. The concentration of HA is also critical in several pathologies including cancer, diabetes and inflammation. Beside these biological roles, the structural properties of HA allow it to take advantage of its capacity to form gels even at concentration of 1 % producing scaffolds with very promising applications in regenerative medicine as biocompatible material for advanced therapeutic uses. In this review we highlight the biological aspects of HA addressing the mechanisms controlling the HA content in tissues as well as its role in important human pathologies. In the second part of the review we highlight the different use of HA polymers in the modern biotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 5, 21100, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vigetti
authors.forename: Evgenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karousou
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caon
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moretto
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Passi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid