Cell aggregation: role of acid mucopolysaccharides

Factors that induce cell aggregation are released by several types of chick embryo and mammalian cell cultures. These aggregation factors are also present in some serums. The factors in each of the preparations tested were inactivated by treatment with bovine testicular hyaluronidase. Conversely, hyaluronic acid promoted aggregation of only those cells that were aggregated by media containing the factors. These factors appear to be acid mucopolysaccharides, with hyaluronic acid being a major component.