High molecular weight hyaluronic acid inhibits advanced glycation endproduct-induced NF-κB activation and cytokine expression

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which accumulate on long-lived proteins and protein deposits (amyloids), induce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines through NF-κB-dependent pathways. Hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight above 1.2 MDa (HMW-HA) inhibits the AGE-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-κB and the NFκB-regulated cytokines interleukin-1α, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Since the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid in humans decreases with age and under conditions of oxidative stress, it is likely that the protective effect of HMW-HA against AGE-induced cellular activation is lost at sites of chronic inflammation and in older age.