Therefore, our new and previously reported data suggest a scenario in the microvesssels of the intestine to partially explain the pathological changes in DSS colitis and human IBD; the HA produced by HAS3 is both a leukocyte recruitment molecule which aids in extravasation into the intestinal tissue, and additionally is a substrate for platelets to create HA fragments that drive cell activation and angiogenesis. Here, HAS3 is linked to colitis.