Hyaluronic acid (HA) (HA)

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high-molecular-weight, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan composed of repeating disaccharide units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, found extensively throughout the extracellular matrix of connective, epithelial, and neural tissues (PubChem CID 24759). It plays a fundamental role in maintaining tissue hydration and osmotic balance due to its exceptional water-binding capacity, while also providing essential lubrication in synovial joints. Beyond its structural contributions, HA serves as a dynamic signaling molecule by interacting with cell surface receptors such as CD44 and the Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility (RHAMM), which regulate cell proliferation, migration, and inflammatory responses (PubMed PMID: 30235439). In pathological conditions like cancer, the over-accumulation of HA in the tumor stroma increases interstitial fluid pressure, creating a physical barrier that hinders the delivery and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents (PubMed PMID: 29439110). Therapeutic interventions targeting HA include the use of hyaluronidases to degrade the matrix and improve drug penetration, as well as the administration of exogenous HA as a viscosupplement to restore joint function in osteoarthritis (StatPearls NBK482440).

Other names

HyaluronanHyaluronateSodium hyaluronateD-glucuronic acid-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine polymer

Enzymatic degradation of hyaluronic acid to reduce interstitial fluid pressure and enhance drug diffusion; supplementation of synovial fluid to provide mechanical lubrication and shock absorption; inhibition of hyaluronan synthase to prevent pathological accumulation.