Hyaluronan (HA) is a component of
extracellular matrix that influences
cell -proliferation, migration, development,
regeneration , normal
tissue remodeling ,
tissues undergoing
malignancy and
tumor cell interaction . The widespread occurrence of HA
binding proteins , their involvement in
tissue organization and the control of cellular
behavior are well documented. The low molecular mass HA fragments can also induce a variety of
biological events, including
chemokine gene expression ,
transcription factor expression and
angiogenesis . It is believed that these fragments are more potent in cellular activities than high molecular mass HA. In this study, we isolated the various fragments by
gel permeation chromatography of
hyaluronidase digested HA and characterized by fluoro assisted
carbohydrate electrophoresis (
FACE ) and matrix assisted
laser desorption ionization
analysis (
MALDI ).
Detection and distribution of cellular receptors in invasive
tumor tissues for HA
polymer and HA fragments were determined both by
Western blot and histochemistry. The study demonstrated the overexpression of HA-hexa
binding protein in
human tumors of
breast and
stomach and its involvement in tumorogenesis.