| Popis: |
The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) is an integral component molecule of articular cartilage, contributing to the specialized structural and functional properties of this connective tissue. In the studies reported herein, we have documented the mRNA expression profiles of three mammalian HA synthase (HAS) enzymes (HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3), four hyaluronidases (HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL2 and MGEA5) and the HA receptor CD44 in chondrocytes from normal (undiseased) animal and human cartilage and osteoarthritic human cartilage maintained in experimental culture systems exposed to catabolic or anabolic stimuli provided by cytokines, retinoic acid and growth factors. |
