4-Methylumbelliferone, an Inhibitor of Hyaluronan Synthase, Prevents the Development of Oncological, Inflammatory, Degenerative, and Autoimmune Diseases.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main structure-forming polymer of the extracellular matrix. HA metabolism plays an important role in intercellular interaction in healthy organism and in various pathologies. HA is synthesized by hyaluronan synthase (HAS); mammals have three highly homologous isoforms of this enzyme: HAS1, HAS2, and HAS3.