Composition and significance of glycosaminoglycans in the uterus and placenta of mammals

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are heteropolysaccharides in mammalian tissue and consist of repeated disaccharide units with mono-sulfated or non-sulfated monosaccharides. GAGs are important components of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) with several physiological roles, in the recognition, migration, adhesion, proliferation and differentiation processes. They are also important in angiogenesis, blood homeostasis, immune reactions, follicule development and also in the development of pathologies such as infertility, tumors and metastases. It has been shown that the profile of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine and placental tissues is highly variable throughout the reproductive cycle and during pregnancy. It may be directly related to their physiological or pathological functions in the tissue. The latter has recently triggered special clinical interest. Current review collaborates for a deeper knowledge on the profile and importance of GAGs in uterine and placental tissues throughout the reproductive cycle and pregnancy. It also covers information on the involvement of these molecules in pathological processes.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Oliveira,Gleidson Benevides de, Vale,André Menezes do, Santos,Amílton Cesar dos, Moura,Carlos Eduardo Bezerra de, Rocha,Hugo Alexandre de Oliveira, Oliveira,Moacir Franco de
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná - Tecpar 2015
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132015000400512
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Summary:Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are heteropolysaccharides in mammalian tissue and consist of repeated disaccharide units with mono-sulfated or non-sulfated monosaccharides. GAGs are important components of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) with several physiological roles, in the recognition, migration, adhesion, proliferation and differentiation processes. They are also important in angiogenesis, blood homeostasis, immune reactions, follicule development and also in the development of pathologies such as infertility, tumors and metastases. It has been shown that the profile of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine and placental tissues is highly variable throughout the reproductive cycle and during pregnancy. It may be directly related to their physiological or pathological functions in the tissue. The latter has recently triggered special clinical interest. Current review collaborates for a deeper knowledge on the profile and importance of GAGs in uterine and placental tissues throughout the reproductive cycle and pregnancy. It also covers information on the involvement of these molecules in pathological processes.