Frontiers in Basic and Translational Proteoglycan Research to Improve Human Health

Proteoglycans are biologically active components of the extracellular matrix consisting of a specific protein core post-translationally modified and covalently linked with linear glycosaminoglycans consisting of repeating disaccharides. The diversity in composition resulting from the various combinations of protein cores substituted with one or more glycosaminoglycan chains enables proteoglycans to interact with a host of different cell surface receptors, cytokines, growth factors, proteases, and other extracellular components. An emerging body of evidence indicates that secreted proteoglycans act as signaling molecules in addition to their canonical function in maintaining and regulating the architecture of various extracellular matrices. These interactions result in modulation of pivotal cellular processes e.g. differentiation, proliferation, growth, adhesion, migration, autophagy, angiogenesis, and survival under developmental, physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, proteoglycans are crucial regulators of cancer development, angiogenesis, fibrosis, inflammation, immunity, regenerative medicine, and diseases of the musculoskeletal and neuronal systems, and lung, renal and cardiovascular diseases.

The program of the 2022 Proteoglycans GRC entitled “Frontiers in Basic and Translational Proteoglycan Research to Improve Human Health” will highlight the latest findings in fundamental proteoglycan research addressing biosynthesis, catabolism and synthesis as well as advances in the technologies used to study proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. A major focus of the 2022 Proteoglycans GRC is to underscore proteoglycans as therapeutic tools and targets. Thus, recent advances from preclinical studies using animal models to clinical studies targeting proteoglycans for treatment of various human diseases (e.g. COVID-19) will lead to discussions among basic scientists and clinical researchers from academia, research institutes, and the pharmaceutical industry.