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Updated: May 22, 2026

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
Published on: June 15, 2019
Glycosaminoglycan and chemokine/growth factor interactions
1Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK. jan.shute@port.ac.uk
Abstract:
Heparin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) related structurally to heparin, notably heparan sulphate, bind to most, if not all, chemokines and many growth factors. The chemokine and growth factor interactions with GAGs localise the peptide mediators to specific sites in tissues and influence their stability and function. This chapter discusses the nature of these interactions and the effect on the function of a number of chemokines (PF-4, interleukin-8, RANTES and SDF-1) and growth factors (FGF, HGF, VEGF) in normal physiology and the disease setting. Novel therapeutic interventions that target chemokine and growth factor interactions with GAGs are also discussed.
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