The effect of a strongly-interacting macromolecular probe on the swelling and exclusion properties of loose connective tissue.
Poly(L-lysine), a cationic polypeptide known to undergo specific interactions with acid mucopolysaccharides, is used as a macromolecular probe in an investigation into the structure of loose connective tissue. The polypeptide apparently binds, via an electrostatic mechanism, to the mucopolysaccharide component of the tissue, leading to a reduction in the swelling of the tissue. The polypeptide does not, however, have a deswelling effect on the tissue; the ultimate reduction in swelling is influenced by the absolute amount of polybase which enters the tissue during the swelling process. Dextran 2000 is found to have a dwelling effect on the tissue which is independent of the action of the polypeptide; this is suggestive of a large degree of independence between the collagen network and the mucopolysaccharide-containing matrix. The polypeptide, moreover, causes a reduction in the excluded volume of the tissue.
D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology; D004058:Diffusion; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014470:Umbilical Cord
D003911:Dextrans; D010455:Peptides; D011107:Polylysine; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001120:Arginine; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase