Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans synthesized by the hepatic granulomas isolated from schistosome-infected mice and by a granuloma-derived connective tissue cell line.

1. This paper summarizes our studies on proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in the hepatic fibrosis occurring in schistosomiasis. 2. We have compared proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans isolated from schistosomal fibrotic granulomas with those obtained from the cellular and extracellular compartments of a murine cell line derived from schistosome-induced granulomas, the primary cell line "GR". 3. Our results have shown some biochemical and structural similarities between proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans extracted from granulomas and those synthesized and secreted by GR cells, suggesting that these cells may be the major cell population involved in synthesis and accumulation of these molecules in the schistosomal periovular granulomas in liver. Furthermore, we have shown that GR cells can function as an extramedullary myelopoietic stroma that mediates a long-term myeloid proliferation through an autocrine mechanism where the interaction between myelopoietic growth factors and cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans was characterized.