Abstract:

Dermatan sulfate （DS） is a glycosaminoglycan composed of alternating N-acetylgalactosamine （GalNAc） and uronic acid residues. Characterized by significant structural heterogeneity and high negative charge density, DS interacts specifically with diverse proteins, widely participating in critical physiological and pathological processes including tissue development, injury repair, and inflammation regulation. In the skin, DS plays a pivotal role in maintaining mechanical strength, promoting wound healing, and combating aging by regulating collagen fibril assembly, modulating cell signaling, and mediating cell adhesion. In recent years, with deepening research into its biological functions, the application potential of DS in skin health management and disease intervention has become increasingly prominent. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress of DS in the frontier fields such as skin tissue engineering, wound healing, anti-fibrosis, and anti-aging. Furthermore, it dissects the core mechanisms by which DS conformational flexibility （mediated by iduronic acid） and specific sulfation patterns regulate cutaneous biological functions, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and novel insights for the translation of basic research and the development of innovative products.

Key words: dermatan sulfate, decorin, skin, cosmeceuticals