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.
Functional organization of extracellular hyaluronan, CD44 and RHAMM
In this comprehensive review, the authors explore how hyaluronan (HA) and its receptors, CD44 and RHAMM, organize the space immediately surrounding cells. In healthy tissue, these components maintain a stable environmen…
Hyaluronan homeostasis and its role in pain and muscle stiffness
This narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in the musculoskeletal system. HA is a key component of the extracellular matrix in muscles and fascia, where it normally functions as a lubricant and shock abs…
A Hyaluronan-binding Peptide (P15-1) Reduces inflammatory and catabolic events in IL-1beta-treated human articular chondrocytes
Inflammation 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…
TMEM2: a missing link in hyaluronan catabolism identified?
Hyaluronan (HA) is a large molecule in our connective tissues that is broken down and replaced very quickly. Scientists have long understood that large HA molecules are first chopped into smaller pieces on the surface o…
Quantifying muscle glycosaminoglycan levels in patients with post-stroke muscle stiffness using T1p MRI
This 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…
Evaluation of hyaluronan content in areas of densification compared to adjacent areas of fascia
This entry is currently a title only, so a full summary is not available. Based on the title, the researchers appear to have evaluated and compared the hyaluronan content in areas of fascial densification with the conte…
Hyaluronic Acid: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Trajectory
This narrative review explores hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance found in connective tissues and synovial fluid. HA is essential for joint lubrication and viscoelasticity, but its concentration and m…
Elevated expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 associates with decreased survival in diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas
Astrocytomas 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…
The Fasciacytes- A New Cell Devoted To Fascial Gliding Regulation
Researchers have identified a new type of cell within fascia, which they have named "fasciacytes." This study presents evidence that these specialized cells are responsible for producing hyaluronan, a key component of t…
Hyaluronan as a therapeutic target in human diseases
This narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan, a major component of the extracellular matrix involved in tissue injury and repair. Its function varies significantly with its size; fragmented hyaluronan can promo…
Fascial Manipulation® for chronic aspecific low back pain: a single blinded randomized controlledtrial.
This randomized controlled trial compared Fascial Manipulation® combined with standard physiotherapy to physiotherapy alone for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. The group receiving Fascial Manipulation®…
Hyaluronan concentration and size distribution in human knee synovial fluid: variations with age and cartilage degeneration
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…
Size Matters: Molecular Weight Specificity of Hyaluronan Effects in Cell Biology
This narrative review summarizes current knowledge about hyaluronan, a molecule whose biological effects are dependent on its size. Unlike many other molecules, hyaluronan's signaling properties are determined not by ch…
Platelet hyaluronidase-2: an enzyme that translocates to the surface upon activation to function in extracellular matrix degradation
Platelets play a key role in responding to tissue injury. This study explores how they interact with hyaluronan, a major component of the extracellular matrix that is involved in inflammation. Researchers demonstrated t…
Hyaluronan’s Role in Fibrosis: A Pathogenic Factor or a Passive Player?
This 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…
The content and size of hyaluronan in biological fluids and tissues
Hyaluronan 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…
Hyaluronan Controls the Deposition of Fibronectin and Collagen and Modulates TGF-β1 Induction of Lung Myofibroblasts
This study investigated how hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix, influences the formation of myofibroblasts—cells involved in tissue scarring and fibrosis. Researchers observed that while HA lev…
Hyaluronan, inflammation and breast cancer progression
This 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…
Hyaluronan Regulates Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7- dependent Prevention and Reversal of Myofibroblast Phenotype
This study on human lung fibroblasts investigated how a protein called BMP7 might counteract fibrosis. Researchers found that BMP7 can prevent and even reverse the formation of myofibroblasts, which are cells that contr…
Hyaluronic acid and wound healing
In this systematic review, researchers compiled studies on hyaluronic acid (HA) and wound healing published from 2010–2014. The review found that HA is used for tissue regeneration, either alone or in combination with o…
Painful Connections: Densification Versus Fibrosis of Fascia
In this review article, the authors describe two types of fascial changes that can cause pain: densification and fibrosis. Densification is described as a reversible alteration in the viscosity of the loose connective t…
Ingested hyaluronan moisturizes dry skin
This review article summarizes research on how oral hyaluronan (HA) supplements may influence skin hydration levels. Studies suggest that a daily intake of 120–240 mg of hyaluronic acid can contribute to increased moist…
Mathematical Analysis of the Flow of Hyaluronic Acid Around Fascia During Manual Therapy Motions
This study used a mathematical model to simulate how different manual therapy techniques affect the flow of hyaluronic acid (HA) within fascia. The researchers compared constant sliding, perpendicular vibration, and tan…
Hyaluronan: A Simple Polysaccharide with Diverse Biological Functions
This 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…
Plantar fascia anatomy and its relationship with Achilles tendon and paratenon
This 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…
Hyaluronan differently modulates TLR-4 and the inflammatory response in mouse chondrocytes
This study on mouse cartilage cells investigated how different sizes of hyaluronan (HA) affect inflammation. Researchers found that small HA fragments increased the production of several inflammatory markers. In contras…
Hyaluronan injection in murine osteoarthritis prevents TGFbeta 1-induced synovial neovascularization and fibrosis and maintains articular cartilage integrity by a CD44-dependent mechanism
In this mouse study, researchers investigated how hyaluronan (HA) injections might protect joints in osteoarthritis. They found that even though the injected HA was cleared from the knee joint in under two hours, a sing…
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
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…
Severe lung fibrosis requires an invasive fibroblast phenotype regulated by hyaluronan and CD44
This study investigated the mechanisms behind severe lung fibrosis, a condition where excessive connective tissue builds up in the lungs. Using a mouse model, researchers found that fibroblasts, a type of connective tis…
Hyaluronan: From Extracellular Glue to Pericellular Cue
Hyaluronan 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…
Fascia redefined: anatomical features and technical relevance in fascial flap surgery
Fascia has traditionally been seen as a passive wrapping, but this review redefines it as a dynamic tissue with its own complex blood supply and innervation. The authors detail the specific characteristics of different…
The effect of molecular weight on hyaluronan’s cartilage boundary lubricating ability e alone and in combination with proteoglycan 4
This study investigated the lubricating ability of hyaluronan (HA) in articular cartilage, focusing on how its molecular weight affects function. Researchers found that higher molecular weight hyaluronan was more effect…
High and Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid Differentially Regulate Human Fibrocyte Differentiation
Following 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…
Hyaluronan as an Immune Regulator in Human Diseases
This 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…
Structural Behavior of Highly Concentrated Hyaluronan
Researchers investigated the behavior of highly concentrated hyaluronan (HA) in a physiological saline solution. They found that HA molecules can organize into stable, larger "superstructures." When heated, the fluid's…
Differential effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on fibroblasts: Relation to wound healing
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…
Hyaluronan in Tissue Injury and Repair
This 2007 review article explores the complex role of hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, in tissue injury and repair. The authors describe how HA's function depends on its size: while the large, n…
Hyaluronan fragments: An information-rich system
This narrative review explores the diverse roles of hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix. Despite its simple chemical structure, HA's biological function changes dramatically and often opposition…
Hyaluronan Fragments Act as an Endogenous Danger Signal by Engaging TLR2
Hyaluronan (HA) is a common component of the body's connective tissue. This study investigates how different sizes of HA molecules affect the immune system. When tissue is injured, large HA molecules are broken down int…
Experimental approaches to hyaluronan structure
In this literature review, researchers summarize experimental studies on the structure of hyaluronan (HA). In conditions similar to the body (neutral, physiological salt solution), HA behaves as a long, semi-flexible po…
Oligosaccharides of Hyaluronan Activate Dendritic Cells via Toll-like Receptor 4
During inflammation, components of our connective tissue like hyaluronic acid (HA) can break down. This study investigated how small fragments of HA affect the immune system. Researchers found that these fragments activ…
Mammalian Hyaluronan Synthases
This 2002 review article describes the three enzymes that produce hyaluronan (HA) in mammals: HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3. These three enzyme isoforms have different characteristics and create different sizes of HA molecules.…
Hyaluronan and its catabolic products in tissue injury and repair
This narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan (HA), a common component of connective tissue, in the body's response to injury. In healthy tissues, HA exists as a large molecule that helps maintain structural int…
Angiogenic oligosaccharides of hyaluronan enhance the production of collagens by endothelial cells
This 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…