Regulated Hyaluronan Synthesis by Vascular Cells

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the regulation of HA synthesis in ECs and the effects on immune cell-EC adhesion. Through their receptors, proinflammatory signals (i.e., cytokines) trigger NF-κB pathway that regulates both HAS2 and CD44 (and other adhesive molecules such as ICAM-1, E-selectin, VCAM-1, and MHC class I genes) [38]. HAS2 synthesizes high molecular weight HA that interacts with CD44 present on both ECs and immune cells (i.e., leukocytes) in the “sandwich model,” which drives immune cells to adhere to ECs contributing to inflammation. Gray circle represents the nucleus.