The inhibition of sulphate incorporation in isolated adult chondrocytes by hyaluronic acid

Abstract

Proteoglycans in the matrix of adult cartilage are metabolised quite rapidly [ 1,2], nevertheless adult cartilage has a limited capacity for repair. Embryonic cartilage on the other hand, is able to replace the proteoglycans of the matrix within a few days after they have been largely depleted by the action of enzymes [3,4], which suggests that the macromolecules in the environment exert some influence over the synthetic or secretory functions of chondrocytes. The possible influence of a variety of macromolecules on the biosynthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans has therefore been examined using suspensions of nondividing adult chondrocytes, obtained from pig laryngeal and articular cartilage. Cartilage contains small amounts of hyaluronic acid [5], low concentrations of which have important biological effects [6]. The effect of low concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the incorporation of 35SOiinto material precipitable by cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is reported here.