The enhanced production of hyaluronic acid by cultured rat fibroblast cells treated with cyclic AMP and its dibutyryl derivative.

Cells of a newly established rat fibroblast line (SEN) in culture synthesize mucopolysaccharides, which have been identified as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin-4-sulfate and heparan sulfate. Treatment of the cells with adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate resulted in a marked stimulation of production of hyaluronic acid, but not of the other mucopolysaccharides. Treated cells also showed increased activity of hyaluronic acid synthetase, a reduction in growth rate, and morphological alteration. In addition, 5-bromodeoxyuridine was found to counteract greatly the cyclic AMP effect.