In a living tissue, cells are surrounded by an environment composed of a variety of constituents, called the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), that plays a key role in tissue homeostasis (i.e. the capacity of a living tissue to maintain its functional equilibrium). When the natural homeostasis functions, cells are constantly produced in order to balance the continuous cell death.

Heparan Sulfates (HS) are polysaccharides, or large sugars, that store and protect the communication peptides needed to control the process behind cell multiplication, repair and migration. HS are therefore central to maintain homeostasis. Furthermore HS attach to other ECM components such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, functioning as a structural scaffold around cells.