Thromb Haemost 2007; 98(02): 287-295
DOI: 10.1160/TH07-02-0155
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Regulation of hyaluronan synthesis by vasodilatory prostaglandins

Implications for atherosclerosis
Jens W. Fischer
1   Institut für Pharmakologie und Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Karsten Schrör
1   Institut für Pharmakologie und Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 February 2007

Accepted after revision 09 May 2007

Publication Date:
28 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

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 HAsynthase isoforms (HAS1–3). 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/PGE2 in regulation of HAsynthesis during atherogenesis.