Hyaluronan is an alternating copolymer of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine that is found in all vertebrate tissues. Depending on the physiologic situation, the size of hyaluronan polymers can vary from 4 sugars to 50,000 sugars. The rapid rate of discovery in hyaluronan biology has revealed the involvement of this glycosaminoglycan in fundamental processes in biology and biomedicine including cancer, regenerative medicine, stem cell survival, and inflammatory diseases. For example, a recent international meeting of hyaluronan researchers from 25 countries highlighted the diversity of normal systems and disease states in which this deceivingly simple polysaccharide plays complicated and critical roles.

We invite all investigators to contribute original research articles or review articles that elucidate and highlight recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of hyaluronan in normal physiological processes and in various human diseases. In particular, we are interested in articles that describe the influence and mechanism of action of hyaluronan in cell and organ function, tumor biology and metastasis, regenerative medicine, connective tissue and musculoskeletal biology, aging, inflammation, immunity, neural function, cardiovascular and lymphatic biology, and human diseases.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Hyaluronan-mediated processes in lymphatic and vascular tumor metastasis
• Hyaluronan-mediated processes in tissue tumorigenesis
• Contributions of hyaluronan to normal and tumor stem cell biology
• The roles of hyaluronan in inflammation, fibrosis, and neurological diseases
• Hyaluronan-mediated signaling in normal and pathological processes and diseases
• The regulation of hyaluronan synthesis, degradation, and turnover
• The roles of hyaluronan in differentiation and development