DERIVATIZED DEXTRANS MODULATE COLLAGEN-SYNTHESIS IN AORTIC SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS

The effect of specifically derivatized dextrans, with or without antip roliferative activity on smooth muscle cells (SMC), was investigated o n type I and type III collagen biosyntheses and mRNA levels in post-co nfluent SMC cultures. Our results indicate that dextran derivatives de creased total protein and collagen syntheses independently of their an tiproliferative activities. However, the most substituted dextran, the one exhibiting the strongest antiproliferative activity towards SMC, was the most active in modulating type III collagen expression. In add ition, only the two dextran derivatives bearing benzylamide groups inh ibited collagen excretion.