Hyaluronic Acid: Known for Almost a Century, but Still in Vogue

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a special position among glycosaminoglycans. As a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This simple, unbranched polysaccharide is involved in the regulation of various biological cell processes, whether under physiological conditions or in cases of cell damage. This review summarizes the history of this molecule’s study, its distinctive metabolic pathway in the body, its unique properties, and current information regarding its interaction partners. Our main goal, however, is to intensively investigate whether this relatively simple polymer may find applications in protecting against ionizing radiation (IR) or for therapy in cases of radiation-induced damage. After exposure to IR, acute and belated damage develops in each tissue depending upon the dose received and the cellular composition of a given organ. A common feature of all organ damage is a distinct change in composition and structure of the ECM. In particular, the important role of HA was shown in lung tissue and the variability of this flexible molecule in the complex mechanism of radiation-induced lung injuries. Moreover, HA is also involved in intermediating cell behavior during morphogenesis and in tissue repair during inflammation, injury, and would healing. The possibility of using the HA polymer to affect or treat radiation tissue damage may point to the missing gaps in the responsible mechanisms in the onset of this disease. Therefore, in this article, we will also focus on obtaining answers from current knowledge and the results of studies as to whether hyaluronic acid can also find application in radiation science.

Colloidal Polyelectrolyte Complexes from Hyaluronic Acid: Preparation and Biomedical Applications

“…[14,24,69] The protective effects of HA against oxidation stress have also been recently further emphasized with much more complicated mechanisms, which involve numerous cellular signaling pathways. [70] Commercial HA used to be mostly produced through extraction from animal tissues, mostly from rooster combs. [67] However, with the current production mainly based on microbial fermentation (e.g., Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli) as well as great advancements in extraction and purification methods, HA can be produced on a larger scale, with a larger range of molecular weight (MW), higher purity, lower manufacturing cost, and less environmental pollution.…”

“…[ 24 ] Indeed, the protective effects of HA against radiation damage may stem from not only its chemical reactions with ROS but also a biological mechanism involving a complexity of cellular signaling pathways. [ 70 ]…”

Use of radiolabeled hyaluronic acid for preclinical assessment of inflammatory injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome

“…HA is a dynamic molecule that can differentially promote or inhibit pathology based on its molecular weight and accessibility to various hyaladherins, also known as hyaluronan binding proteins (HABPs), such as CD44, TLR4, and RHAMM [2] , [13] , [20] . HA with high molecular weight is located in the peribronchial and perialveolar regions of the lungs, providing structural integrity and displaying anti-inflammatory properties.…”

“…Hyaluronic acid (HA) or hyaluronan, a polysaccharide synthesized by a class of integral membrane hyaluronan synthases of stromal cells and deposited in the extracellular matrix (ECM), is closely involved with the pathophysiology of ARDS [5] , [11] , [12] , [13] . Following lung injury, aberrant HA production from mast cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts leads to excess HA accumulation in the airway lumen, thickened perialveolar interstitium, and alveolar obstruction, thereby reducing lung compliance and ventilation [2] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] .…”

The Dual Modification of PNIPAM and β-Cyclodextrin Grafted on Hyaluronic Acid as Self-Assembled Nanogel for Curcumin Delivery

“…Hyaluronic acid or HA, a biocompatible macromolecule found throughout the human body, has been utilized as a polymer backbone because of its safety and because its structure possesses hydroxy and carboxyl groups that facilitate the functionalization of specific moieties [ 10 , 11 ]. Numerous functional moieties have been utilized on the HA backbone to deliver features to the nanogels, such as stimuli responsiveness, and to increase the drug-loading efficacy.…”