Role of hyaluronic acid in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: a cellular investigation on inflammation biological network

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the major structural component of the extracellular matrix, involved in signaling pathways, inflammation, wound repair, and morphogenesis. HA is considered an important biomaterial for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems and various medical and pharmaceutical applications based on its characteristics, such as its good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and viscoelastic properties. The physiological properties of HA largely depend on its molecular weight and ability to interact with specific cell receptors. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between the molecular weight and physiological function of HA by measuring the expression of some inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines, and interleukins in mesenchymal stem cells. Gene expression of genes belonging to the “Inflammatory Cytokines and Receptors” pathway was measured by RealTime PCR after 24h of treatment with high, medium, and low molecular weight HA solution. The results confirm the anti-inflammatory activity of high molecular weight HA and the pro-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating activity of medium and low molecular weight HA.