Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 1, 2026

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
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Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion

Published on: June 15, 2019

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Effects of molecular weights on the bioactivity of hyaluronic acid: A review

Xiaoyun Wang1, Xiaojun Liu2, Chao Li2

  • 1College of Life Science and Health, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266113, China; Qingdao Municipal Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 266024, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China.

Carbohydrate Research
|April 5, 2025
PubMed

Hyaluronic acid (HA), the only non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), is essential for maintaining the extracellular matrix's structural and functional integrity. Its bioactivity is determined by interactions between HA fragments of different molecular weights and specific receptors, which influence downstream signaling pathways. This review systematic summarizes the correlation between HA molecular weight dynamic changes and bioactivities focusing on imbalance of HA degradation and metabolism due to various pathological processes. Outline the core transduction mechanisms of HA receptors and signaling pathways, and innovatively hypothesize that discrepancies in cellular distribution with HA-molecular weights dependent lead to the activation of different signaling pathways from the perspective of molecular weight affecting cellular distribution. Finally, it addresses challenges in studying HA's biofunctions and provides new perspectives for future research.

Keywords:
BioactivityCell signalingHyaluronic acidMolecular sizeReceptors

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