Hyaluronan-based hydrogels as modulators of cellular behaviour

Hyaluronan (HA), also known as hyaluronic acid, is a key constituent of several living tissues and biological environments, such as the pericellular space and extracellular matrix (ECM). Its fundamental role as structural component and homeostatic regulator of connective tissues has been exploited in the development of hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. HA-based hydrogels can be used to mimic the biochemical and mechanical features of soft tissues, as well as to study the behavior of different types of cells. HA is recognized to be an active molecule involved in cellular adhesion, proliferation, and migration, as well as to trigger different signaling pathways associated with cellular differentiation or inducer of in vivo tissue regeneration. In this chapter, we will review the recent advances on the development of HA-based hydrogels in the biomedical field, including its chemical/physical modifications to tune their bioactivity and/or to act as reservoirs of therapeutic agents.