Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious patients.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
- A2020
A Hyaluronan-binding Peptide (P15-1) Reduces inflammatory and catabolic events in IL-1beta-treated human articular chondrocytes
Claire Shortt, Leonard G Luyt, Eva A Turley, Mary K Cowman, Thorsten KirschInflammation in osteoarthritis drives cartilage degradation. In this laboratory study, researchers investigated whether a peptide (P15-1) combined with hyaluronan (HA) could protect human cartilage cells in a simulated…
hyaluronaninflammationchondrocytesP15-1IL-1beta - A2019
Quantifying muscle glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with post-stroke muscle stiffness using T1p MRI
Rajiv G Menon, Preeti Raghavan, Ravinder R RegatteThis study is the first to quantify the amount of hyaluronan, a key component for gliding movements within fascia. Researchers measured hyaluronan in tissue samples from various human anatomical sites and found that the…
hyaluronanStrokestiffnesshyaluronidase - A2018
Elevated expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 associates with decreased survival in diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas
Mari Valkonen, Hannu Haapasalo, Kirsi Rilla, Kristiina Tyynelä-Korhonen, Ylermi Soini , Sanna Pasonen-SeppänenAstrocytomas are the most common type of brain tumor in adults. In this retrospective study, researchers investigated hyaluronan, a key component of the brain's extracellular matrix, and its related enzymes in 163 tumor…
hyaluronanHyaluronan synthaseAstrocytomaPrognosisGlioma - A2016
Hyaluronan concentration and size distribution in human knee synovial fluid: variations with age and cartilage degeneration
Michele M Temple-Wong, Shuwen Ren, Phu Quach, Bradley C Hansen, Albert C Chen, Akihiko Hasegawa, Darryl D D’Lima, Jim K…This study investigated how the lubricant hyaluronan in knee joint fluid changes with age and cartilage wear. Researchers analyzed synovial fluid from human donors aged 23 to 91 without diagnosed osteoarthritis. They fo…
hyaluronanAgingSynovial fluidDegeneration - A2015
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
Katryn L Schwertfeger, Mary K Cowman, Patrick G Telmer, Eva A Turley, James B McCarthyThis narrative review explores the link between inflammation, the tissue component hyaluronan (HA), and breast cancer progression. Cancer cells and surrounding host cells can create an inflamed microenvironment that hel…
hyaluronaninflammationCD44fasciaBreast cancer - A2015
The content and size of hyaluronan in biological fluids and tissues
Mary K Cowman, Hong-Gee Lee, Kathryn L Schwertfeger, James B McCarthy,, Eva A TurleyHyaluronan is a simple sugar polymer found throughout the body's tissues and fluids. It is typically produced as a very large, high-molecular-mass molecule. This narrative review notes that during processes like inflamm…
hyaluronanfasciaquantificationassaymolecular mass - A2015
Hyaluronan’s Role in Fibrosis: A Pathogenic Factor or a Passive Player?
S Albeiroti, A Soroosh, C A de la MotteThis 2015 review article explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in fibrosis, a condition where excessive connective tissue buildup impairs organ function. HA is a key component of the extracellular matrix, known for its h…
hyaluronanfasciafibrosis - A2013
Plantar fascia anatomy and its relationship with Achilles tendon and paratenon
Carla Stecco, Marco Corradin, Veronica Macchi, Aldo Morra, Andrea Porzionato, Carlo Biz, Raffaele De CaroThis study investigated the detailed anatomy of the plantar fascia and its connection to the Achilles tendon. Dissections of human cadavers revealed that the fascia is more closely linked to the paratenon (the tendon's…
hyaluronanfasciaFasciacyteachilles tendonparatenon - A2013
Hyaluronan: A Simple Polysaccharide with Diverse Biological Functions
Kevin T Dicker, Lisa A Gurski, Swati Pradhan-Bhatt, Robert L Witt, Mary C Farach-Carson, Xinqiao JiaThis review paper describes hyaluronan (HA), a simple sugar molecule found abundantly throughout the body's connective tissues. Despite its simple structure, HA has a surprising array of biological functions. It helps o…
hyaluronanfasciawound healingsynthasehyaluronidase - A2012
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
Cornelia Tolg, Sara R Hamilton, Ewa Zalinska, Lori McCulloch, Ripal Amin, Natalia Akentieva, Francoise Winnik, Rashmin…In this animal study, researchers investigated how to reduce scarring during skin wound healing. They developed a peptide, P15-1, designed to interfere with signals from fragmented hyaluronan, a molecule involved in inf…
hyaluronaninflammationfasciaextracellular matrixfibrosis - A2011
Hyaluronan as an Immune Regulator in Human Diseases
Paul W Noble, Jiurong Liang, Dianhua JiangThis 2011 narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in the immune system. While intact HA is a normal part of the extracellular matrix, fragments of HA produced during tissue injury can act as signals. These…
hyaluronanfascia - A2011
Hyaluronan: From Extracellular Glue to Pericellular Cue
B P TooleHyaluronan is traditionally seen as a biological 'goo' that lubricates joints and holds connective tissues together. This review describes how hyaluronan also functions as an important signaling molecule, or cue, in the…
hyaluronanfasciasignal transductioncancer - A2011
High and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Differentially Regulate Human Fibrocyte Differentiation
A S Maharjan, D Pilling, R H GomerFollowing tissue injury, immune cells called monocytes can differentiate into fibrocytes, a cell type involved in healing and fibrosis. This study investigated how different sizes of hyaluronic acid (HA) affect this pro…
hyaluronanfasciafibrocyte differentiationmonocyte - A2008
Differential effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on fibroblasts: Relation to wound healing
Maha David-Raoudi, Frederic Tranchepain, Brigitte Deschrevel, Jean-Claude Vincent, Patrick Bogdanowicz, Karim Boumedien…This lab study investigated how hyaluronan (HA) of different molecular sizes affects human fibroblast cells, which are key to wound healing. Researchers exposed fibroblasts to native HA and two smaller fragments. All th…
hyaluronanfasciawound healingextracellular matrixfibrosis - A1993
Angiogenic oligosaccharides of hyaluronan enhance the production of collagens by endothelial cells
P Rooney, M Wang, P Kumar, S KumarThis study investigated how small fragments of hyaluronan (HA) affect collagen production during the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Researchers observed that applying these HA fragments t…
hyaluronancollagenAngiogenesis