Feedback control of selected biosynthetic activities of chondrocytes in culture.

The syntheses of proteoglycans and proteins by chondrocytes from the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma in primary cultures were modulated on the addition of matrical molecules. In the presence of hyaluronan, collagen or proteoglycan aggregates the synthesis of proteoglycans was depressed. The synthesis of collagen was also depressed in the presence of hyaluronan or collagen. In the presence of proteoglycan monomers, the incorporation of 35S-sulfate was enhanced in proportion to the concentration of the additive in the medium; the synthesis of protein was unaffected. The proteoglycan monomers synthesized in the presence of proteoglycan monomers were larger than those synthesized in their absence. In combinations, the exogenous macromolecules did not affect the selected biosynthetic activities to an extent greater than that which they exerted separately. The data suggest, however, that the proteoglycan monomers can counteract the inhibitory effects of the macromolecules which are inhibitory. The data, moreover, suggest that the chondrocytes of the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma have the potential to discriminate between proteoglycan monomers produced by self and those produced by chondrocytes of hyaline cartilages.