Studies on the binding of lipoteichoic acid to osseous tissue

Tritium-labelled lipoteichoic acid (³H-LTA) was examined for its interaction with connective tissue components by employing autoradiography. Evidence was obtained for LTA binding to both the calcified matrix and to cells of neonatal rat parietal and long bones in vitro . The interaction of LTA with bone-derived cells was studied in a model system utilizing an osteosarcoma cell line in tissue culture. These tumour cells incorporated ³H-LTA as long as they were actively dividing but deacylated LTA was not incorporated. This suggested that the lipid portion of the molecule was necessary for interaction with the cells. Evidence has also been obtained for an interaction of LTA with components from the culture fluid of osteosarcoma cells.