Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharides that are found in the extracellular matrix and on the surface of cells. GAGs consist of a linear chain of repeating disaccharide units, with one or more sugar molecules linked by a glycosidic bond. They have been shown to be important for the function and structure of tissues, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. GAGs have been shown to stimulate cellular growth, regulate inflammatory responses, and promote wound healing. They have also been shown to inhibit activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN), which play an important role in inflammation. One type of GAG is dextran sulfate, which has been used as a biological scaffold for tissue engineering applications. Glycosaminoglycans may also play a role in regulating immune responses through interaction with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).