The synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and hyaluronan (HA) was studied in 3 cell strains incubated at 37°C or 42°C. Cells were labelled with [3H]glucosamine and [35S]sulphate. No incorporation of [35S]sulphate was observed at 42°C. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of GAGs synthetized at 42°C showed only one [3H]glucosamine-labelled band completely digested with Streptomyces hyaluronidase. The quantification of [3H]glucosamine-labelled GAGs before and after hyaluronidase treatment indicated an increased rate of HA synthesis at 42°C as compared to the rate of synthesis at 37°C. These results suggest that hyperthermia stimulates HA synthesis and inhibits sulphated GAG synthesis in several cell strains which in turn may contribute to the modification of extracellular environment in inflammation.
