What are GAGs?

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex polysaccharides located on the surface of cells and in the extracellular matrix. GAGs play a key role in cell to matrix, cell to cell and cell to virus interactions and are essential for physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, amyloidosis and viral infections. GAGs, therefore, are prime drug targets for the treatment of these conditions.

GAG Mediated Disorders

Inflammatory Diseases. Every inflammatory response is initiated by the adhesion of circulating leukocytes, cells of the immune system, to the blood vessel wall. GAGs, which mediate leukocyte to blood vessel adhesion, are therefore essential for initiating the inflammatory response and its deleterious consequences.

Amyloidosis. The etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease involves amyloid plaque formation (Amyloidosis). GAGs have been proven to be amyloid plaque nucleating factors and inhibitors are expected to block amyloidosis and the resulting neurodegeneration leading to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Viral Infection. Many viruses commence their infectious cycle by adhering to susceptible target cells. The attachment and entry of a number of pathogenic viruses is mediated by binding to GAGs. Among such viruses are hepatitis C, HIV, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Virus, etc. Inhibitors of GAG mediated virus to cell attachment are expected to prevent virus infection.