AGE-RELATED EFFECTS OF LECTINS ON GAG METABOLISM IN CULTURED EMBRYONIC FIBROBLASTS

Lectins (WGA, SBA or PNA) were administered to 7 and 14 days chick emb ryo fibroblasts to evaluate their ability to influence GAG cellular an d extracellular accumulation. HA and sulphated GAG were differently af fected by lectins. WGA addition to culture medium enhanced HA and sulp hated GAG in the two examined compartments. SBA and PNA increased sulp hated GAG only in the cellular pool with a consequent reduction of sec reted GAG. As far as HA is concerned, SBA and PNA promoted its accumul ation in the extracellular compartment. NH4Cl administration indicated a decline of GAG degradation in the course of development in presence of lectins. Generally the effect of lectins was greater in the younge st stage: showing that lectins were able to bind 7 and 14 days-old fib roblasts differently.