title: Chemical and histochemical characterization of mucopolysaccharides in a jaw myxoma.
abstract: Chemical and histochemical analyses, including testicular and staphylococcal hyaluronidase digestion, have been made of a jaw myxoma and the results show the presence of two acid mucopolysaccharides. Of the total mucopolysaccharide present 80% was hyaluronic acid and 20% chondroitin sulphate. The high content of non-sulphated mucopolysaccharide would seem to explain the paucity of fibres characteristic of the myxoma. It is suggested that myxomas generally probably have a similar high hyaluronic acid content. It is considered that the cell concerned is a mesenchymal cell elaborating non-sulphated mucopolysaccharide and may be called a ;myxoblast'; it is metabolically different from the sulphated-mucopolysaccharide-collagen-producing fibroblast. The high hyaluronic acid content is much greater than that found in embryonic connective tissue and may be a significant factor in the neoplastic behaviour of the myxomatous tissue. The aggressive behaviour of the myxoma is against a simple reversion to embryonic mesenchyme. It is concluded that the myxoblast is an active mucopolysaccharide-secreting cell and that mucin in the myxoma is not a sign of cell degeneration of preexisting fibroblasts or collagen.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009232:Myxoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D002807:Chondroitin