ENDOTHELIAL-CELL RESPONSES TO CHITIN AND ITS DERIVATIVES

The effects of chitin and its derivatives on the proliferation of huma n umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and on the production of c ytokines were examined in vitro. Chitin and its derivatives had no eff ect on the proliferation of cultured HUVECs, N-Sulfonated 70 % deacety lated chitin (S-DAC70) stimulated the production of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha from HUVECs, Compared to S-DAC70, the other materials tested in the present study s howed less effect in the stimulation of IL-8 and TNF-alpha production and had no effect in the stimulation of IL-1 beta and IL-6 production. These results indicated that S-DAC70 affects HUVECs function but not proliferation, (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.