Alginate oligosaccharides modulate cell morphology, cell proliferation and collagen expression in human skin fibroblasts in vitro

Abstract Effects of alginate oligosaccharides on cell proliferation and expression of collagen in cultured skin fibroblasts were studied. The oligosaccharides were found to suppress fibroblast proliferation to half the level in control cultures at a dose of 10 mg/ml during a period of 5 days. The inhibition was accompanied by a change in cell shape. The inhibition of cell proliferation was reversible, since depletion of these oligosaccharides led to a recovery of cell motility. Treatment of confluent cells with 10 mg/ml oligosaccharides for 5 days resulted in a reduction in collagen synthesis to one half of that in control cultures and inhibition of steady state levels of α₁(I), α₂(I), α₁(III) and α₁(VI) collagen mRNAs. These results suggest that alginate oligosaccharides are potential modulators of dermal fibroblasts and may provide a useful tool for the treatment of disorders related to abnormal collagen metabolism. Received: 16 October 1998 / Received after revision: 8 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 1999