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Intracellular hyaluronan: a new frontier for inflammation?
Vincent C Hascall1, Alana K Majors, Carol A De La Motte
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. hascall@bme.ri.ccf.org
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|July 9, 2004
Summary
Intracellular hyaluronan (HA) presence challenges traditional views. This review explores its functions, extracellular links, and role in inflammation, despite localization difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Histochemistry
Background:
- Ultrastructural localization of hyaluronan (HA) is challenging due to fixation issues, lack of specific probes, and masking by binding molecules.
- Existing biochemical and histochemical studies suggest HA is present intracellularly, not just extracellularly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential functions of intracellular HA.
- To explore the relationship between intracellular and extracellular HA.
- To discuss the implications of intracellular HA in inflammatory processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of biochemical and histochemical studies.
- Analysis of existing data on HA localization and binding.
Main Results:
- Hyaluronan (HA) is increasingly recognized as an intracellular component.
- Intracellular HA may have distinct functions from extracellular HA.
- HA's intracellular presence has significant implications for understanding inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Despite technical challenges, evidence supports intracellular HA.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate intracellular HA functions and its role in disease.
- Intracellular HA represents a novel area for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory conditions.