OBJECTIVE The proteoglycan decorin stabilizes collagen whereas biglycan and hyaluronan disrupt well-organized collagen. The aim was to compare hyaluronan and proteoglycans in human fetal membranes obtained before and after spontaneous labour at term. STUDY DESIGN Prelabour samples of fetal membranes (N=9) were obtained from elective caesarean sections and regionally sampled from over the cerv...

The toll-like receptor (TLR) system is expressed in cumulus cells of ovulated cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and is activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). However, the endogenous ligand(s) for the TLRs and the physiological role(s) in ovulated COCs remain to be defined. Based on reports that hyaluronan fragments can activate TLR2 and TLR4 in macrophages, and that ovulated COCs are c...

This protein is regulated by the mutant H-ras gene in cells containing a metallothionein promoter H-ras hybrid gene. Further, antibodies to peptide sequences encoded in the eDNA block the increase in locomotion resulting from induction of the mutant H-ras gene in this cell line. In a transblot assay, the bacterially expressed protein binds to biotinylated hyaluronan. Antibodies to peptides enco...

Nonhealing wounds are a major complication of diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. For efficient tissue repair, inflammatory cells must infiltrate into the damaged tissue to orchestrate wound closure. Hyaluronan is involved in the inflammation associated with wound repair and binds the surface of leukocytes infiltrating damaged sites. Skin gammadelta T cells play specialized role...

Background: Hyaluronic acids act upon keratinocytes via CD44 receptors and regulate proliferation and differentiation. Some cosmetic hyaluronan lotions manufactured based upon the fact are nowadays available. Aims: To evaluate a cosmetic hyaluronan lotion (Dr. Fukaya’s skin repair lotion or Hyaluprotect) from the viewpoint of anti-aging effects and to consider its mechanism. Patients/Methods: I...

Hyaluronan is a polysaccharide, which is ubiquitous in vertebrates and has been reported to be strongly hydrated in a biological environment. We study the hydration of hyaluronan in solution using the rotational dynamics of water as a probe. We measure these dynamics with polarization-resolved femtosecond-infrared and terahertz time-domain spectroscopies. Both experiments reveal that a subensem...

Perivitelline space is the gap between the plasma membrane and zona pellucida of oocytes. Recently, it has been reported that the incidence of polyspermy in porcine and mouse oocytes with larger perivitelline space is significantly lower than those with small perivitelline space (Funahashi et al., 1994; Wang et al., 1998; Kitagawa and Niimura, 2006; Ueno and Niimura, 2008). Therefore, it has be...

Collagen VI and hyaluronan are widely distributed extracellular matrix macromolecules that play a crucial role in tissue development and are highly expressed in cancers. Both hyaluronan and collagen VI are upregulated in breast cancer, generating a microenvironment that promotes tumour progression and metastasis. A growing number of studies show that these two molecules are involved in inflamma...

Denna avhandling är skyddad enligt upphovsrättslagen. Alla rättigheter förbehålles. Abstract The principal objective of this thesis was to advance the level of understanding in the field of biolubrication, finding inspiration from the human synovial joints. This was addressed specifically by investigating the synergistic association of key biolubricants and the resulting lubrication performance...

Examination of the synovial fluid should be a routine procedure in the evaluation of arthritic conditions, as it can provide valuable information in addition to that gained by clinical and radiologic examination. Conventional analysis will not provide a specific diagnosis; however, it does give an indication of the degree of synovitis and metabolic derangement within the joint. It is more speci...