Human skin fibroblasts were exposed to various concentrations (from 0.01 to 5.0 units/ml) of human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta). Both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were found to increase dermatan-sulphate-proteoglycan (DSPG) core-protein mRNA levels. Maximal increase (3.0-fold) was seen at 48 h after addition of 1 unit of IL-1 beta/ml. In spite of the elevated DSPG-core-protein mRNA only a slight increase (from 10 to 18%) could be seen in the production of DSPG to cell-culture medium. No changes in the molecular mass of DSPG could be detected.
