Dermatan sulfate

Overview
Dermatan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan (formerly called a mucopolysaccharide) found mostly in skin, but also in blood vessels, heart valves, tendons, and lungs.

It is also referred to as chondroitin sulfate B, although it is no longer classified as a form of chondroitin sulfate by most sources.

Function
Dermatan sulfate may have roles in coagulation, cardiovascular disease, carcinogenesis, infection, wound repair, and fibrosis.

Pathology
Dermatan sulfate accumulates abnormally in several of the mucopolysaccharidosis disorders.

An excess of Dermatan Sulfate in the Mitral Valve is characteristic of myxomatous degeneration of the leaflets leading to redundancy of valve tissue and ultimately, Mitral Valve Prolapse (into the Left Ventricle) and insufficiency. This chronic prolapse occurs mainly in women over the age of 60, and can predispose the patient to mitral annular calcification and eccentric (volume dependent or dilated) hypertrophy and eventually Left Heart failure if untreated. Also used to treat sun burns.