Synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and other macromolecules by embryo calf epiphyseal cells in culture

Monolayer cell cultures from the distal femoral epiphyses of embryo calves were studied following the first subculture, which was carried out after confluence in primary culture. Light microscopic examination revealed scattered deposits of metachromatic-staining material; on electron microscopy fine fibrils considered to be developmental collagen were seen. After several days in culture lacuna-like patterns of cells were seen. The nature of the cell secretions were studied by radioactive precursors, which were fractionated on Sephadex G200 and by ion exchange chromatography. Enzyme digestion with bacterial and testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase-AC and-ABC revealed that the cells synthesized 70% sulphated, and 30% non-sulphated glycosaminoglycans. Of the sulphated glycosaminoglycans 70% was chondroitin-4-sulphate, 20% chondroitin-6-sulphate, and the remainder probably keratansulphate. Studies were labelled amino acid precursors suggested that the cells synthesized a high-molecular weight protein containing hydroxyproline, as well as some non-collagenous protein, shown by tryptophan incorporationThis work was reported in part at the Second Australian Symposium on Calcium and Calcified Tissue Metabolism, in Melbourne, Australia, August 14th–15th, see Calc. Tiss. Res.4, 274–290 (1969).