title: Stimulation of matrix formation in rabbit chondrocyte cultures by ascorbate. 1. Effect of ascorbate analogs and beta-aminopropionitrile.
abstract: The most consistent effects of 0.2 mM L-ascorbate on monolayer cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes were a diversion of incorporated radiosulfate into a pericellular matrix and enhancement of cell proliferation. Only with certain batches of fetal bovine serum (FBS) was there a cell-for-cell increase of proteoglycan synthesis. These actions increased as the cell inoculum rose from 0.5 to 2 x 10(5) cells/T25 flask. Maximal effects of ascorbate and D-isoascorbate were found over a range of 0.05-0.2 mM. L-Dehydroascorbic acid was less effective than either, and no stimulatory action was exerted by L-cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, methylene blue, or phenazine methosulfate. Ascorbate increased the hypro:pro ratio of newly synthesized proteins. beta-Aminopropionitrile (1 mM) reduced the proportion of [3H]hydroxyproline and [35S]O4-proteoglycans in the ascorbate-supplemented matrix 31 and 7%, respectively. In corresponding electronmicrographs, the number of pericellular filaments was reduced. We conclude: (a) Ascorbate has a general anabolic effect on chondrocytes in culture and enhances matrix assembly through mechanisms other than its redox function; (b) deposition of proteoglycans in the matrix is not simply the result of mechanical entrapment by allysine- or hydroxyallysine-derived cross-linking of collagen; and (c) contradictory reports on the subject result from variations in the serum employed, inoculum density, and concentration of ascorbate.
authors: Department of Pathology, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook 11794.
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Wright
authors: X Q
authors: XQ
authors: Wei
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: McDevitt
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Lane
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Sokoloff
mesh_terms: D000629:Aminopropionitrile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001857:Bone Matrix / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D011509:Proteoglycans; D000629:Aminopropionitrile; D001205:Ascorbic Acid