A truncated hyaluronan synthase (HAS) comprising an exemplary amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 2. The truncated HAS may be encoded by an exemplary nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 3.

The invention discloses a recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum for efficient synthesis of highly pure hyaluronic acid and oligosaccharides thereof, belonging to the technical field of bioengineering. The recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum constructed in the present invention can produce hyaluronic acid with a yield up to 40g/L, and a crude product purity of 95%. Addition of exogenous hyaluronic acid hydrolase and optimization of the fermentation conditions results in hyaluronic acid oligosaccharides with specific molecular weight, and can further improve the yield of hyaluronic acid to 72 g/L. The invention lays a solid foundation for the efficient synthesis of highly pure hyaluronic acid by microorganisms, and the constructed recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum is suitable for industrial production and application.

The present invention provides polymer brush constructs, for example, surfaces decorated with hyaluronan polymers, and methods of making the same. The constructs are useful as functional materials for numerous applications, e.g., as lubricants, implant coatings, bandages and other uses.

The present disclosure relates to recombinant viral vectors, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such recombinant vectors, and to methods for prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis in mammals. In particular, this disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors capable of expressing, in a host, osteoprotective/chondroprotective bioactive proteins, including hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and lubricin (PRG4). Methods of production of these AAV are provided, as are methods of treatment of osteoarthritis in mammalian joints, by the long-term gene expression of osteoprotective/chondroprotective proteins, including HAS2 and PRG4, in both synovial and chondrocyte cells.

Provided herein are methods of treating corneal opacities in patients, such as neonates, including administering to the patient's eye or cornea a ZBTB7B and/or granulin polypeptide, and/or knocking down expression of HAS2 and/or HYAL1 in the patient's eye or cornea.

The present disclosure relates to recombinant viral vectors, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such recombinant vectors, and to methods for prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis in mammals. In particular, this disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors capable of expressing, in a host, osteoprotective/chondroprotective bioactive proteins, including hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and lubricin (PRG4). Methods of production of these AAV are provided, as are methods of treatment of osteoarthritis in mammalian joints, by the long-term gene expression of osteoprotective/chondroprotective proteins, including HAS2 and PRG4, in both synovial and chondrocyte cells.

The present invention provides polymer brush constructs, for example, surfaces decorated with hyaluronan polymers, and methods of making the same. The constructs are useful as functional materials for numerous applications, e.g., as lubricants, implant coatings, bandages and other uses.

A method for inhibiting metastasis of cancer cells is provided. Inhibitors of heparan sulfate (HS) or hyaluronic acid (HA) are applied to a tumor or a surgical location after removal of the bulk of the tumor. The inhibitors enzymatically cleave surface HS or HA; genetically modify cancer cells to decrease HS or HA production or interfere with the signaling pathway between HS or HA and a MMP or syndecan.

The present disclosure relates to recombinant viral vectors, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such recombinant vectors, and to methods for prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis in mammals. In particular, this disclosure provides adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors capable of expressing, in a host, osteoprotective/chondroprotective bioactive proteins, including hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and lubricin (PRG4). Methods of production of these AAV are provided, as are methods of treatment of osteoarthritis in mammalian joints, by the long-term gene expression of osteoprotective/chondroprotective proteins, including HAS2 and PRG4, in both synovial and chondrocyte cells.

The invention discloses a recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum for efficient synthesis of highly pure hyaluronic acid and oligosaccharides thereof, belonging to the technical field of bioengineering. The recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum constructed in the present invention can produce hyaluronic acid with a yield up to 40 g/L, and a crude product purity of 95%. Addition of exogenous hyaluronic acid hydrolase and optimization of the fermentation conditions results in hyaluronic acid oligosaccharides with specific molecular weight, and can further improve the yield of hyaluronic acid to 72 g/L. The invention lays a solid foundation for the efficient synthesis of highly pure hyaluronic acid by microorganisms, and the constructed recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum is suitable for industrial production and application.