Connective tissue activation. XIII. Stimulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis in human connective tissue cells by peptide mediators from lymphocytes and platelets.

CTAP-I from lymphocytes and CTAP-III from platelets markedly stimulated 35SO4= incorporation into chondroitin 4/6 sulfate and dermatan sulfate synthesized by human synovial, dermal, and cartilage connective tissue cells in vitro. These agonists promoted synthesis of the GAG carbon chain as well as sulfate incorporation. Both RNA and protein synthesis were required for these mediators to be effective in stimulating synthesis of connective tissue matrix components. A major part of the capacity of normal serum to stimulate sulfate incorporation into GAG's may reside in CTAP-III.