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Abstract
Exogenously added bacterial neuraminidase and lactosylceramide both stimulated the
growth of cultured human skin fibroblasts. Neuraminidase (100 units/ml) increased
DNA synthesis 1.9-fold and cell density 1.4-fold after 24 and 48 h, respectively,
in culture. Treated fibroblasts contained less ganglioside NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta
1-4GlcCer (GM3), presumably due to neuraminidase-catalyzed hydrolysis to lactosylceramide.
Addition of lactosylceramide (100 microM) to the fibroblast culture medium also increased
DNA synthesis threefold within 24 h and cell density twofold after 48 h. These findings
are compatible with a mechanism by which the proliferation of human fibroblasts is
regulated by the relative levels of GM3 and lactosylceramide in the plasma membrane.