INHIBITION OF SERUM-INDUCED PROLIFERATION OF BOVINE TRACHEAL SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS IN CULTURE BY HEPARIN AND RELATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS

1 The effect ol heparin and related glycosaminoglycans on bovine airway smooth muscle proliferation has been investigated. 2 Foetal bovine serum stimulated division of bovine trachealis smooth muscle cells in a concentration-dependent fashion at concentrations between 1 and 30%. 3 Heparin (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)), heparan sulphate (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)) and fragmin (0.1-100 mu g ml(-1)) inhibited smooth muscle division in a concentration-dependent fashion between 0.1-100 mu g ml(-1). A heparin disaccharide did not exhibit inhibition of division at 100 mu g ml(-1). 4 Dextran sulphate at molecular weights of 5 x 10(3) and 5 x 10(5) concentration-dependently inhibited division between 0.1-100 mu g ml(-1). Dextran without sulphation did not exhibit inhibition of division at 100 mu g ml(-1). 5 The magnitude of inhibition of proliferation did not reach 100% for any compounds examined at concentrations up to 100 mu g ml(-1) during incubations for 5 and 14 days. IC50 values for inhibition of proliferation ranged between 1-5 mu g ml(-1). 6 These findings suggest that heparin and related glycosaminoglycans inhibit bovine airway smooth muscle cell division.