Hyaluronan in adipose tissue: Beyond dermal filler and therapeutic carrier

Abstract

Adipose hyaluronan is increasingly recognized as an active player in adipose tissue fibrosis and metabolic dysfunction. However, this role poses as many challenges as opportunities for therapeutic targeting of adipose tissue dysfunction during nutrient oversupply.

Figure 1

Cartoon depicting an adipocyte and its extracellular matrix focusing on hyaluronic acid. Collagen I fibrils form the main structural component and provide the physical support of the adipose tissue. Collagen VI is the major collagen type surrounding each adipocyte. HAs are synthesized by HAS2 and exported during the synthesis. HA fibrils offer an anchor function for the proteoglycan core protein aggrecan. HYAL2 processes HAs into small fragments, which have a different binding dynamics compared to high molecular weight HA, and may promote angiogenesis and attract macrophages, eosinophils, and other cells. (Cartoon drawing instructions: both HAS2 and HYAL2 are membrane-anchored proteins, they should stay close to cell membrane.)