Utilization of Sulphate Ion by Fibroblasts in the Quartz Focus

Abstract

MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES are abundant in healing wounds and other sites where collagen is forming, and Meyer¹ postulated their production in large quantities by fibroblasts. The mast cell has been credited with producing ‘ground substance’² or hyaluronic acid³; but Bunting and Bunting⁴ recently reviewed much of the evidence for the source of mucopolysaccharide in fibroplasia and came to the conclusion that an origin from ‘fibrocytes’ seemed probable but not conclusive. Klemperer⁵ expressed similar views: his objections were based largely on the non-specificity of the periodic acid–Schiff method for mucopolysaccharides. Gersh and Catchpole⁶ had postulated previously a secretory cycle in fibroblasts dependent on the specificity of this technique.