SUPPRESSION FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF FIBROBLASTS BY EXTERNAL DNA

Phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopic observation showed that DN A added in the cell-culture medium for fibroblasts localized just on t he surface of fibroblasts. The DNA bound to fibroblasts was found to b e eluted by treating with collagenase. The suppression for the prolife ration of fibroblasts by external DNA was confirmed with microscopic o bservation for the cells cultured in the presence and absence of DNA. Proliferation of the cells decreased from 412 to 155% by the addition of DNA. These results indicate that DNA has an affinity for collagen, the most major extracellular-matrix produced by fibroblasts, and suppr esses the growth of fibroblasts. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.