Regulation of hyaluronan synthesis by vasodilatory prostaglandins. Implications for atherosclerosis
Fischer, J.W.; Schrör, K.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis 98(2): 287-295
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0340-6245 PMID: 17721609 Document Number: 605439
Hyaluronan (HA) is a macromolecular polysaccharide of the vascular extracellular matrix that confers both structural functions as well as signalling activity. HA is involved in a wide variety of biological processes, such as tissue morphogenesis, malignant growth and metastasis, wound healing and angiogenesis. In atherosclerosis, HA associates with leukocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and is involved in vascular remodelling. HA is synthesized at the plasma membrane by three HA-synthase isoforms (HASI-3). Human VSMC upregulate HAS1 and HAS2 in response to prostaglandins via Gs-coupled prostaglandin receptor subtypes IP and EP2. This review discusses the regulation of HA-synthesis by prostaglandins and the evidence for a central role of cyclooxygenase-2/PGE(2) in regulation of HA-synthesis during atherogenesis.