Role of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in red cell aggregation and adhesion

Abstract

The action of potassium hyaluronate (HUA) and protein-chondroitin-4-sulfate (PCS) on aggregation and adhesion of rabbit red cells suspended in physiological saline was studied. The ability of HUA and PCS to produce nonspecific and reversible aggregation of red cells was shown to be attributable to the property of these biopolymers of creating complex structures of the osmotic mesh and molecular sieve type in solutions, which displace the cells from the space they occupy and concentrate them in the smallest possible volume. Various fractions of heparin, which do not create such structures in solutions, do not cause the formation of separate, clearly demarcated aggregates of red cells but prevent the aggregating action of HUA and PCS when the concentrations of these biopolymers are insufficient for complete red cell aggregation. It is suggested that the aggregating action of HUA and PCS, which is essential for adhesion to take place, is one of the universal biological functions and is manifested not only toward red cells, but also toward other cells and various tissue elements.