HYALURONIC-ACID-DEFICIENT EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX INDUCED BY ADDITION OF4-METHYLUMBELLIFERONE TO THE MEDIUM OF CULTURED HUMAN SKIN FIBROBLASTS

The effects of xylosyl-beta-D-(4-methylumbelliferone) and its aglycone , 4-methylumbelliferone, on hyaluronic acid synthesis were investigate d in cultured human skin fibroblasts. Xylosyl-beta-D-(4-methylumbellif erone) added to the medium of cultured cell reduced the synthesis of h yaluronic acid. Furthermore, 4-methylumbelliferone reduced the product ion of hyaluronic acid markedly. In addition, 4-methylumbelliferone ha d hardly any effect on proteoglycan synthesis, whereas xylosyl-beta-D- (4-methylumbelliferone) produced a large amount of glycosaminoglycan c hains. The present results indicate that cells cultured with 4-methylu mbelliferone produce a hyaluronic-acid-deficient extracellular matrix, which will be useful for functional studies of hyaluronic acid. (C) 1 995 Academic Press, Inc.