EFFECT OF HYPERTHERMIA ON THE EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX .1. HEAT ENHANCES HYALURONAN AND INHIBITS SULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN SYNTHESIS

The synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and hyaluronan (HA ) was studied in 3 cell strains incubated at 37-degrees-C or 42-degree s-C. Cells were labelled with [H-3]glucosamine and [S-35]sulphate. No incorporation of [S-35]sulphate was observed at 42-degrees-C. Cellulos e acetate electrophoresis of GAGs synthetized at 42-degrees-C showed o nly one [H-3]glucosamine-labelled band completely digested with Strept omyces hyaluronidase. The quantification of [H-3]glucosamine-labelled GAGs before and after hyaluronidase treatment indicated an increased r ate of HA synthesis at 42-degrees-C as compared to the rate of synthes is at 37-degrees-C. These results suggest that hyperthermia stimulates HA synthesis and inhibits sulphated GAG synthesis in several cell str ains which in tum may contribute to the modification of extracellular environment in inflammation.