Dermal Factors Affecting Epidermal Cells In Vitro

Collagen, acid mucopolysaccharides, and water soluble small molecular weight constituents from connective tissue were examined for their ability to affect epithelial cell growth in vitro. Collagen increased the plating efficiency of epithelial cells. Neither hyaluronic acid nor dermatan sulfate stimulated epithelial cells. Polar, small molecular weight materials extracted from connective tissue both markedly increased the survival time and stimulated the incorporation of 32P into epithelial cells