Ions in hyaluronic acid solutions

Ions in hyaluronic acid solutions.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an anionic biopolymer that is almost ubiquitous in biological tissues. An attempt is made to determine the dominant features that account for both its abundance and its multifunctional role, and which set it apart from other types of biopolymers. A combination of osmotic and scattering techniques is employed to quantify its dynamic and static properties in near-physiolog...

Structure and Interactions in Hyaluronic Acid Solutions

INTRODUCTION Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major constituent of the extracellular matrix. Among its many biological functions, HA plays a critical role in cartilage, where large aggrecan-HA complexes that provide the resistance to compressive load enmesh the collagen network. The carboxyl groups of the HA molecule in physiological conditions become charged and contribute to the osmotic pressure of ...

Hierarchy and Organization of Hyaluronic Acid in Physiological Salt Solutions

INTRODUCTION Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high molecular weight anionic polysaccharide that is widely distributed throughout the body. HA is a primary constituent of the extracellular matrix and participates in various cell-to-cell interactions. Among its many functions, HA plays a critical role in cartilage, where large HA-aggrecan complexes that provide the resistance to compressive load enmesh ...

Scaling behaviour of hyaluronic acid in solution with mono- and divalent ions.

The effect of the simultaneous presence of mono- and divalent cations on the thermodynamics of polyelectrolyte solutions is not fully understood. In physiological conditions, combinations of these ions affect structure formation in biopolymer systems. It is known that divalent counterions form a tight sheath around the polymer backbone, while monovalent ions are distributed in a diffuse cloud. ...

Hyaluronic acid in Heberden's nodes.