ABSTRACT
The effect of modifications of the extracellular matrix on the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans was investigated in human skin fibroblast cultures by studying UDPGDH activity in order to evaluate: a), the histoenzymological and biochemical modifications induced by chondroitinase ABC treatment (new experimental conditions were developed in order to obtain minimum cell damage); b), the reversibility of these modifications; c), the effect of growing the cells in the presence of chondroitinsulfate; d), the specificity of the modifications induced. The results demonstrated that our experimental conditions specifically affected intracellular UDPGDH activity. Chondroitinase ABC treatment induced a reversible increase of UDP-glucuronic acid synthesis. On the contrary, the presence of chondroitinsulfate in the growth medium completely inhibited UDPGDH activity.
