Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs
Hyaluronan (HA) has complex biological roles that have catalyzed clinical interest in several fields of medicine. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of HA aggregation, also called densification, in human organs. The literature suggests that HA aggregation can occur in the liver, eye, l...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Bioengineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/9/4/159 |
| _version_ | 1827621709088292864 |
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| author | Antonio Stecco Mary Cowman Nina Pirri Preeti Raghavan Carmelo Pirri |
| author_facet | Antonio Stecco Mary Cowman Nina Pirri Preeti Raghavan Carmelo Pirri |
| author_sort | Antonio Stecco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hyaluronan (HA) has complex biological roles that have catalyzed clinical interest in several fields of medicine. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of HA aggregation, also called densification, in human organs. The literature suggests that HA aggregation can occur in the liver, eye, lung, kidney, blood vessel, muscle, fascia, skin, pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma. In all these organs, aggregation of HA leads to an increase in extracellular matrix viscosity, causing stiffness and organ dysfunction. Fibrosis, in some of these organs, may also occur as a direct consequence of densification in the long term. Specific imaging evaluation, such dynamic ultrasonography, elasto-sonography, elasto-MRI and T1ρ MRI can permit early diagnosis to enable the clinician to organize the treatment plan and avoid further progression of the pathology and dysfunction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:09:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e37f1cbf0314f26a5b2529187bb359e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:09:09Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e37f1cbf0314f26a5b2529187bb359e2023-12-01T00:49:27ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542022-04-019415910.3390/bioengineering9040159Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human OrgansAntonio Stecco0Mary Cowman1Nina Pirri2Preeti Raghavan3Carmelo Pirri4Rusk Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 10016, USADepartment of Medicine—DIMED, School of Radiology, Radiology Institute, University of Padua, 35122 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USADepartment of Neurosciences, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, ItalyHyaluronan (HA) has complex biological roles that have catalyzed clinical interest in several fields of medicine. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of HA aggregation, also called densification, in human organs. The literature suggests that HA aggregation can occur in the liver, eye, lung, kidney, blood vessel, muscle, fascia, skin, pancreatic cancer and malignant melanoma. In all these organs, aggregation of HA leads to an increase in extracellular matrix viscosity, causing stiffness and organ dysfunction. Fibrosis, in some of these organs, may also occur as a direct consequence of densification in the long term. Specific imaging evaluation, such dynamic ultrasonography, elasto-sonography, elasto-MRI and T1ρ MRI can permit early diagnosis to enable the clinician to organize the treatment plan and avoid further progression of the pathology and dysfunction.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/9/4/159densificationhyaluronanaggregationliverkidneyfascia |
| spellingShingle | Antonio Stecco Mary Cowman Nina Pirri Preeti Raghavan Carmelo Pirri Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs Bioengineering densification hyaluronan aggregation liver kidney fascia |
| title | Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs |
| title_full | Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs |
| title_fullStr | Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs |
| title_short | Densification: Hyaluronan Aggregation in Different Human Organs |
| title_sort | densification hyaluronan aggregation in different human organs |
| topic | densification hyaluronan aggregation liver kidney fascia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/9/4/159 |
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