Advances in Hyaluronic Acid for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a large non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan that is the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Because of its strong and diversified functions applied in broad fields, HA has been widely studied and reported previously. The molecular properties of HA and its derivatives, including a wide range of molecular weights but distinct effects on cells, moisture retention and anti-aging, and CD44 targeting, promised its role as a popular participant in tissue engineering, wound healing, cancer treatment, ophthalmology, and cosmetics. In recent years, HA and its derivatives have played an increasingly important role in the aforementioned biomedical fields in the formulation of coatings, nanoparticles, and hydrogels. This article highlights recent efforts in converting HA to smart formulation, such as multifunctional coatings, targeted nanoparticles, or injectable hydrogels, which are used in advanced biomedical application.

Extracellular vesicle-loaded hydrogels for tissue repair and regeneration

“…Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan. It is a major component of the ECM and is found in almost all body tissues and fluids [ 82 ]. As a major component of cartilage tissue, HA exhibits high biocompatibility in this context, and thus, HA hydrogels play an important role in cartilage tissue engineering [ 83 ].…”

Emerging 3D bioprinting applications in plastic surgery

“…Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, which is the main component of ECM. HA has good biocompatibility and biodegradability and plays an important role in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and cell receptor interactions [ 91 , 92 , 101 ]. It was found that the mechanical and biological properties of hydrogels varied when prepared using HA with different molecular weights.…”

Recent Advances in the Application of Natural and Synthetic Polymer-Based Scaffolds in Musculoskeletal Regeneration

“…Owing to the presence of carboxyl groups in the molecule, hyaluronic acid is negatively charged, highly hydrophilic, and viscoelastic [ 48 ]. Hyaluronic acid is one of the major intracellular components of connective tissue and plays an important role in cell growth, migration, and differentiation [ 49 ]. Hyaluronic acid also has many physiological functions, including the regulation of water in tissues and matrices, and its backbone contains functional groups (carboxylic acids and alcohols) that can be widely used to build scaffolds with structural and space-filling properties [ 50 , 51 ].…”