Hyaluronan-mediated motility

Amano T, Kajiwara K, Yoshikawa K, Morioka J, Nomura S, Fujisawa H et al. Antitumor effects of vaccination with dendritic cells transfected with modified receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility mRNA in a mouse glioma model. J Neurosurg 2007 106 638-645. 

Unlike sulfated polysaccharides, some of the initial proof of HA s ability to interact with living cells came with the observation that hyaluronan accelerates cell growth. It has also been observed that hyaluronan initiates some cell aggregation. This was the first indication of a unique binding of the polysaccharide to the cell surface. Currently, several receptor proteins that bind to the surface of the HA cytoplasmic membrane have been isolated, including high-affinity receptor CD44 and receptor RHAMM (receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility). 

It has been determined that some cells begin to aggregate after addition of hyaluronan. The observation of aggregation was the first indication that the polysaccharide macromolecule can be bound with the cell surface. At the present time, several protein receptors, which specifically bind biopolymers on the surface of the cytoplasmic membrane, have been isolated. These have a high affinity to the HA receptors CD44 and the receptor for HA-mediated motility (RHAMM) [123]. Another receptor for hyaluronan endocytosis was found on the membrane of the endothelial cells of the liver sinus. It differs significantly from other... 

Hardwick, C Hoare, K., Owens, R., Hohn, H. P., Hook, M., Moore, D., Cripps, V., Austen, L Nance, D. M., Turley, E. A. (1992). Molecular cloning of a novel hyaluronan receptor that mediates tumor cell motility. J. Cell Biol. 117, 1343-1350. 

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