1362 Connective Tissue Activation

14 C-gldcommine and '5S04-labeled glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, 2) responsiveness to autacdid mediators, and 3) perfarmance following maximal stimulation. Under basal conditions, SF synthesized and secreted 2-3 times more radioactive hyaluronic acid than the NF (P < 0.001); molecular volume by gel chromatography was similar and suggested a high molecular weight ptoduct. SF were essentially as responsive to normal lymphoid and platelet factors as were NF. No consistent qualitative or quantitative differences in sulfated GAG synthesis were noted between the 2 groups of cells. Incubation df NF and SF with a false "core protein" such as p-nitrophenyl-PD-xyloside suggested that synthesis of the core protein was rate limiting; SF and NF were equally facile in S04-GAG chain synthesis in the presence of a pxyloside. SF appear to retain in vitro a partially activated State for many generations, at least with respect to hyaluronic acid synthesis.