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A crucial role for CD44 in inflammation
1The Wistar Institute and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4268, USA.
Trends in Molecular Medicine
|April 28, 2001
Summary
Targeting specific inflammatory pathways in immune and parenchymal cells, particularly involving CD44 and hyaluronan interactions, offers new therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Current chronic inflammatory disease therapies non-specifically reduce immune cell activation.
- Parenchymal cells are increasingly recognized as active contributors to inflammation.
- Novel treatments require targeting specific inflammatory pathways in both immune and parenchymal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of CD44 and hyaluronan (HA) interactions in inflammatory diseases.
- To identify CD44-HA mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets for inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on CD44, hyaluronan, and inflammation.
- Analysis of the involvement of CD44-HA interactions in various inflammatory conditions.
Main Results:
- CD44, a cell-adhesion molecule, is expressed on both leukocytes and parenchymal cells.
- CD44-hyaluronan interactions are implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases.
Conclusions:
- Targeting CD44-hyaluronan interactions presents a promising therapeutic avenue for chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Future treatments should focus on specific inflammatory pathways in both immune and parenchymal cells.