INHIBITION OF SERUM-INDUCED PROLIFERATION OF BOVINE TRACHEAL SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS IN CULTURE BY HEPARIN AND RELATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS

1 The effect ol heparin and related glycosaminoglycans on bovine airwa y smooth muscle proliferation has been investigated. 2 Foetal bovine s erum stimulated division of bovine trachealis smooth muscle cells in a concentration-dependent fashion at concentrations between 1 and 30%.3 Heparin (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)), heparan sulphate (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)) and fragmin (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)) inhibited smooth muscle division in a concentration-dependent fashion between 0.1-100 mu g ml(-1). A hepa rin disaccharide did not exhibit inhibition of division at 100 mu g ml (-1). 4 Dextran sulphate at molecular weights of 5 x 10(3) and 5 x 10( 5) concentration-dependently inhibited division between 0.1-100 mu g m l(-1). Dextran without sulphation did not exhibit inhibition of divisi on at 100 mu g ml(-1). 5 The magnitude of inhibition of proliferation did not reach 100% for any compounds examined at concentrations up to 100 mu g ml(-1) during incubations for 5 and 14 days. IC50 values for inhibition of proliferation ranged between 1-5 mu g ml(-1). 6 These fi ndings suggest that heparin and related glycosaminoglycans inhibit bov ine airway smooth muscle cell division.