Growth regulators in connective tissues. II. Evidence for the presence of several growth inhibitors in aortic extracts.

Studies on the effects of bovine aorta extracts on endothelial and smooth muscle cells cultured from the same tissue indicate they contain at least four separate molecular species capable of inhibiting cell growth. Two, heparin and a recently characterized dermatan sulfate-chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, are large polyanions and inhibit the growth of both smooth muscle and endothelial cells, but require large amounts to induce this effect. The other two are low molecular weight molecules which inhibit only the growth of endothelial cells, one of which is a protease inhibitor which has been purified to homogeneity. The fourth and most potent is an as yet unidentified fraction distinguishable from the protease inhibitor. Heparin, as reported by others, and the proteoglycan also enhance collagenase activity. It would therefore appear that aorta contains several molecular species which have the potential to affect both invasive and proliferative processes.