Mucopolysaccharide synthesis by human bone marrow in short-term suspension cultures.

Abstract

Abstract Human bone marrow cells were maintained for 2 days in suspension cultures. Cell counts were nearly constant, and cell morphology was well preserved over the 2 days. The myeloid/erythroid cell ratio remained constant. The percentage of mature cells increased in the erythroid series only. Both myeloid and erythroid cells were metabolically active. Autoradiographic studies showed that 35 S-sulfate labeled approximately half of the early myeloid cells and was not present in erythroid cells. The radioactivity was incorporated into mucopolysaccharide which was secreted into the medium, as well as contained in the cells. The mucopolysaccharide from both sources was associated with protein but could be isolated in a fraction identified chromatographically as chondroitin sulfate. Gel filtration studies indicated that the mucopolysaccharide from both cells and medium was polydisperse, and that the material secreted into the medium was of larger average molecular size than that remaining in the cells.