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Review
. 2007;2(3):283-8.

Potential therapeutic applications of hyaluronan in the lung

Jerome O Cantor  1
Affiliations
Review

Potential therapeutic applications of hyaluronan in the lung

Jerome O Cantor. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2007.

Abstract

Hyaluronan (HA), a long-chain polysaccharide, is currently being evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent for a number of inflammatory disorders. The effect of HA on inflammation appears to be related to its molecular size, with larger polysaccharide chains having anti-inflammatory activity and smaller ones having proinflammatory properties. This dichotomous behavior is particularly relevant to the work of our laboratory on an aerosolized preparation of HA to treat pulmonary emphysema. The breakdown of inhaled HA into smaller fragments could possibly induce an inflammatory reaction in the lung that counteracts any beneficial effect. Consequently, the proposed therapeutic use of HA will require development of treatment strategies aimed at minimizing its proinflammatory activity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(Upper) Mouse lung exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months shows significant airspace enlargement. (Lower) Mouse lung treated with aerosolized HA during the same 3-month period of smoke exposure shows only minimal airspace enlargement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
HA is a long-chain polysaccharide composed of repeating disaccharide units of glucuronic acid and n-acetylglucosamine. When administered intratracheally, it binds to alveolar septal elastic fibers and may prevent their degradation by elastases released from macrophages and neutrophils.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Photomicrograph showing attachment of fluorescein-labeled HA to alveolar macrophages. By coating the cell surface, HA could block interactions with various cytokines.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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