Cell-surface glycosaminoglycans are not released from human diploid fibroblasts by non-enzymatic methods

Attempts were made to release glycosaminoglycans from the surface of intact fibroblasts in culture by changes in pH and ionic strength of the surrounding medium. No additional macromolecular material was released by such 5-min treatments, while 0.01% trypsin released 50 times the amount naturally shed. These results suggest a covalent attachment of glycosaminoglycans to the cell membrane. Cytochalasin B did not effect release of surface components, but a small amount of sulfated glycosaminoglycan was released by inclusion of heparin in the incubation medium.