Transforming growth factors (TGFα and TGFβH) stimulate chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronate synthesis in cultured rat liver fat storing cells

AbstractThe synthesis of total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) was stimulated by transforming growth factors (TGFα 1.4-fold at 5 ngml, and TGFβ1 2.05-fold at 2.5 ngml) in primary cultures of rat liver fat storing cells (FSC). The combination of both TGFs resulted in an additively stimulated synthesis of total sulfated GAG (more than 3-fold), chondroitin sulfate (more than 15-fold) and hyaluronate (3.8-fold), respectively, whereas the formation of dermatan sulfate was unchanged and that of heparan sulfate was slightly reduced. In summary, TGFs were identified as important mediators of stimulated GAG synthesis in those cells of the liver (FSC), which are the primary site of matrix glycoconjugate production.Fat storing cell; Fibrogenesis; Glycosaminoglycans; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Transforming growth facto