Hyaluronan in the Skin and Its Correlation with Dermatopathology

Abstract

The skin is an important organ that not only covers the body but also performs various functions, such as temperature regulation, respiration, sensory functions, and immune functions. Therefore, if the functions of the skin are lost, the entire body would be affected and we would be unable to live. Recent studies have shown that hyaluronan is an important factor that maintains skin homeostasis by regulating skin development, proliferation, differentiation, regeneration, and anti-aging. On the other hand, it has been revealed that hyaluronan is also a risk factor that facilitates proliferation and metastasis of malignant skin tumors. Accordingly, it is expected that if the expression of hyaluronan in the skin can be artificially and freely regulated, it should be possible to maintain not only a person's skin health but also their general health. In this review, I outline the importance of hyaluronan, focusing on the correlation between skin hyaluronan and the pathophysiology of the skin.