DNA damage and cell cycle arrest induced by 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203, NSC 703786) is attenuated in aryl hydrocarbon receptor deficient MCF-7 cells.

The fluorinated benzothiazole analogue 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203, NSC 703786) is a novel agent with potent and selective antitumour properties and, in the form of its L-lysylamide prodrug Phortress (NSC 710305), is a current candidate for early phase clinical studies. Previous findings have indicated that cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) may play a role in the antitumour activity of molecules in the benzothiazole series including the nonfluorinated parent compound 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203, NSC 674495) (Kashiyama et al, 1999; Chua et al, 2000; Loaiza-Pérez et al, 2002). In this study, we assessed and verified that a fully functional aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signalling pathway is a necessary requisite for the induction of efficient cytotoxicity by 5F 203 in MCF-7 wild-type sensitive cells. Drug exposure caused MCF-7 sensitive cells to arrest in G(1) and S phase, and induced DNA adduct formation, in contrast to AhR-deficient AH(R100) variant MCF-7 cells. In sensitive MCF-7 cells, induction of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription (measured by luciferase reporter assay and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)), and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was demonstrated, following treatment with 5F 203. In contrast, in resistant AH(R100) cells, drug treatment did not affect CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcription and EROD activity. Furthermore, AH(R100) cells failed to produce either protein/DNA complexes on the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) sequence of CYP1A1 promoter (measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay) or DNA adducts. The data confirm that activation of the AhR signalling pathway is an important feature of the antitumour activity of 5F 203.

Modulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and expression is associated with aryl hydrocarbon resistance in vitro.

The mutagenic effect of environmental carcinogens has been well documented in animal models and in human studies but the mechanisms involved in preventing carcinogen insult have not been fully elucidated. In this study we examined the molecular and biochemical changes associated with carcinogen resistance in a series of aryl hydrocarbon-resistant MCF-7 cell lines developed by exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BP). The cell lines were designated as AH(R40), AH(R100), and AH(R200) to denote their increasing fold resistance to BP compared with wild type cells. These cell lines were also resistant to another aryl hydrocarbon (AH), dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, but not to pleiotropic drugs (doxorubicin, vinblastine, and taxol). The resistant cell lines showed an increase in the level of the primary intracellular antioxidant, reduced glutathione, corresponding to increasing AH resistance. However, there was no change in glutathione reductase activity. The generation of reduced glutathione requires NADPH, and we therefore examined the activity and expression of the rate-limiting enzyme in NADPH production, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). An increase in G6PD specific activity was associated with increasing aryl hydrocarbon resistance. This was due to an increased expression of G6PD in resistant cells, which was demonstrated by increases in both protein and mRNA levels. However, there was no increase in the transcription rate of G6PD in the resistant cell lines, indicating that the increase G6PD expression is due to a post-transcriptional modulation, which was confirmed by actinomycin D chase experiments. These results demonstrate that modulation of G6PD expression and activity is an important mechanism in AH resistance.

Dibenzoylmethane modulates aryl hydrocarbon receptor function and expression of cytochromes P50 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1.

The phytochemical dibenzoylmethane (DBM) has been shown to prevent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-induced tumorigenesis in rodents. However, the biochemical basis of this activity is unclear. We have therefore investigated the effects of DBM on the activity and expression of carcinogen-activating enzymes, the cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A1, 1A2, and 1B1. Oral administration of DBM to female Sprague Dawley rats inhibited the increase in hepatic enzyme activity and mRNA levels of CYP1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 caused by the PAH 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). However, DBM administration alone caused an increase in both activity and expression in the liver, albeit to levels much lower than that induced by DMBA. To characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in this dual action of DBM, we examined the effects of DBM in vitro. In HepG2 human hepatoma cells, DBM inhibited DMBA- and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced enzyme activity and CYP1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 mRNA levels, whereas DBM itself induced activity and mRNA expression. Modulation of CYP1A1 expression by DBM occurred at the transcriptional level, as transient transfection assays demonstrated. Because the transcription of CYP1A1 is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), we investigated the effect of DBM on AhR activation. DBM inhibited TCCD-induced DNA-binding of the AhR to the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE) of CYP1A1 as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These data suggest that the chemopreventive activity of DBM results from its ability to affect Phase 1 enzyme expression by modulation of AhR function.

Inhibition of aromatase activity and expression in MCF-7 cells by the chemopreventive retinoid N-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-retinamide.

The effect of the chemopreventive synthetic retinoid N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-retinamide (4-HPR) on aromatase activity and expression was examined. 4-HPR caused a dose-dependent inhibition of aromatase activity in microsomes isolated from JEG-3 human placental carcinoma cells. The kinetics of inhibition were analysed by double-reciprocal plot. The Km of the substrate increased and the Vmax of the reaction decreased in the presence of 4-HPR, indicating that enzyme inhibition involved both competition for the substrate-binding site and non-competitive mechanisms. To determine whether 4-HPR would also inhibit aromatase activity in intact cells, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were incubated with or without cAMP in the presence of 4-HPR. 4-HPR inhibited both basal and cAMP-induced aromatase activity in intact MCF-7 cells. The induction of aromatase mRNA expression in MCF-7 cells by cAMP was inhibited in cells treated with 4-HPR. These results indicate that 4-HPR inhibits both the enzymatic activity and expression of aromatase. These activities may play an important role in the known chemopreventive effect of 4-HPR towards breast cancer.

The steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits CYP1A1 expression in vitro by a post-transcriptional mechanism.

The adrenal steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a potent inhibitor of mammary carcinogenesis induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), though its mechanism is unclear. We examined the effect of DHEA on the expression of the carcinogen-activating enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in MCF-7 human breast epithelial carcinoma cells. DHEA inhibited the increase in CYP1A1 enzyme activity that occurs when MCF-7 cells are exposed to the PAH dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) or 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). However, DHEA did not directly inhibit enzyme activity as it had no effect when added to the cells after induction by DMBA or TCDD. We observed that the increase of CYP1A1 mRNA in MCF-7 cells caused by DMBA or TCDD was inhibited by DHEA in a concentration-dependent manner. However, DHEA did not inhibit CYP1A1 promoter-driven transcription, indicating that it did not affect the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which regulates transcription of the CYP1A1 gene. Actinomycin D chase experiments showed that DHEA caused a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in CYP1A1 mRNA levels, indicating that DHEA inhibits CYP1A1 expression by decreasing CYP1A1 mRNA stability. These data demonstrate that DHEA inhibits PAH-induced CYP1A1 mRNA expression and enzyme activity in vitro by a post-transcriptional mechanism. This regulation of the expression of carcinogen-activating enzymes may be responsible for the chemopreventive activity of DHEA and may be one of its physiologic functions in vivo.

Inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon-induced cytochrome P-450 1A1 enzyme activity and CYP1A1 expression by resveratrol.

We investigated the effect of resveratrol, a constituent of the human diet that has been shown to inhibit aryl hydrocarbon-induced carcinogenesis in animals, on the carcinogen activation pathway regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Resveratrol inhibited the metabolism of the environmental aryl hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) catalyzed by microsomes isolated from B[a]P-treated human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Resveratrol competitively inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, the activity of the carcinogen activating enzymes cytochrome P-450 (CYP)1A1/CYP1A2 in microsomes and intact HepG2 cells. Resveratrol inhibited the B[a]P-induced expression of the CYP1A1 gene, as measured at the mRNA and transcriptional levels. Resveratrol abolished the binding of B[a]P-activated nuclear aryl hydrocarbon receptor to the xenobiotic-responsive element of the CYP1A1 promoter but did not itself bind to the receptor. Resveratrol was also effective in inhibiting CYP1A1 transcription induced by the aryl hydrocarbon dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in human mammary carcinoma MCF-7 cells. These data demonstrate that resveratrol inhibits aryl hydrocarbon-induced CYP1A activity in vitro by directly inhibiting CYP1A1/1A2 enzyme activity and by inhibiting the signal transduction pathway that up-regulates the expression of carcinogen activating enzymes. These activities may be an important part of the chemopreventive activity of resveratrol in vivo.

Dietary flavonols quercetin and kaempferol are ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor that affect CYP1A1 transcription differentially.

Transcriptional activation of the human CYP1A1 gene (coding for cytochrome P450 1A1) is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In the present study we have examined the effect of the common dietary polyphenolic compounds quercetin and kaempferol on the transcription of CYP1A1 and the function of the AhR in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Quercetin caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the amount of CYP1A1 mRNA and CYP1A1 enzyme activity in MCF-7 cells. The increase in CYP1A1 mRNA caused by quercetin was prevented by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Quercetin also caused an increase in the transcription of a chloramphenicol reporter vector containing the CYP1A1 promoter. Quercetin failed to induce CYP1A1 enzyme activity in AhR-deficient MCF-7 cells. Gel retardation studies demonstrated that quercetin activated the ability of the AhR to bind to an oligonucleotide containing the xenobiotic-responsive element (XRE) of the CYP1A1 promoter. These results indicate that quercetin's effect is mediated by the AhR. Kaempferol did not affect CYP1A1 expression by itself but it inhibited the transcription of CYP1A1 induced by the prototypical AhR ligand 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), as measured by a decrease in TCDD-induced CYP1A1 promoter-driven reporter vector activity, and CYP1A1 mRNA in cells. Kaempferol also abolished TCDD-induced XRE binding in a gel-shift assay. Both compounds were able to compete with TCDD for binding to a cytosolic extract of MCF-7 cells. Known ligands of the AhR are, for the most part, man-made compounds such as halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These results demonstrate that the dietary flavonols quercetin and kaempferol are natural, dietary ligands of the AhR that exert different effects on CYP1A1 transcription.

Increased AP-1 activity in drug resistant human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

The expression, DNA binding, and transactivating activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) was examined in a series of multidrug resistant (MDR) MCF-7 human breast cancer cells that have increasing levels of MDR1 gene expression. We observed an increase in the amount of both c-jun and c-fos mRNA in cells with 12-, 65-, or 200-fold higher resistance to adriamycin when compared to drug-sensitive MCF-7 wild type (WT) cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated an increase in the DNA binding activity of an AP-1 complex in nuclear extracts from MDR MCF-7 cells when compared to extracts from WT cells. We observed a proportional increase in luciferase expression from a reporter vector containing consensus AP-1 binding sites in transiently transfected MDR cells when compared to WT cells, indicating that AP-1 mediated gene expression is increased in drug-resistant MCF-7 cells. Since the MDR1 promoter contains a putative AP-1 binding site, we used EMSA to examine AP-1 binding activity to an oligonucleotide probe that contained the relevant MDR1 promoter sequences (-123 to -108). Nuclear extracts from resistant MCF-7 cells displayed an increased level of DNA binding of Jun/Jun dimers to the probe, indicating that AP-1 was capable of binding to this promoter site. A luciferase reporter construct containing triplicate copies of the MDR1 promoter sequence was expressed at higher levels in transiently transfected MDR cells when compared to expression in WT cells. Co-transfection of WT cells with a c-jun expression vector and either of the AP-1 luciferase constructs demonstrated that c-jun could activate gene expression from both the consensus and the MDR1 AP-1 sites in a dose dependent manner. In addition, RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that levels of MDR1 mRNA and Pgp were increased in c-jun transfected WT cells. Taken together, these data indicate that increased AP-1 activity may be an important mediator of MDR by regulating the expression of MDR1.

The flavonoid galangin is an inhibitor of CYP1A1 activity and an agonist/antagonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

The effect of the dietary flavonoid galangin on the metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), the activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and the expression of CYP1A1 in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells was investigated. Galangin inhibited the catabolic breakdown of DMBA, as measured by thin-layer chromatography, in a dose-dependent manner. Galangin also inhibited the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts, and prevented DMBA-induced inhibition of cell growth. Galangin caused a potent, dose-dependent inhibition of CYP1A1 activity, as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, in intact cells and in microsomes isolated from DMBA-treated cells. Analysis of the inhibition kinetics by double-reciprocal plot demonstrated that galangin inhibited CYP1A1 activity in a noncompetitive manner. Galangin caused an increase in the level of CYP1A1 mRNA, indicating that it may be an agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, but it inhibited the induction of CYP1A1 mRNA by DMBA or by 2,3,5,7-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Galangin also inhibited the DMBA- or TCDD-induced transcription of a reporter vector containing the CYP1A1 promoter. Thus, galangin is a potent inhibitor of DMBA metabolism and an agonist/antagonist of the AhR, and may prove to be an effective chemopreventive agent.

Inhibition of P-glycoprotein activity and reversal of multidrug resistance in vitro by rosemary extract.

The transmembrane transport pump P-glycoprotein (Pgp) causes the efflux of chemotherapeutic agents from cells and is believed to be an important mechanism in multidrug resistance (MDR) in mammary tumours. In the present study we demonstrate that an extract of the common dietary herb rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis Labiatae), increases the intracellular accumulation of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents, including doxorubicin (DOX) and vinblastine (VIN), in drug-resistant MCF-7 human breast cancer cells which express Pgp. Rosemary extract (RE) inhibits the efflux of DOX and VIN, which are known to be substrates of Pgp, but does not affect accumulation or efflux of DOX in wild type MCF-7 cells, which lack Pgp. Treatment of drug-resistant cells with RE increases their sensitivity to DOX, which is consistent with an increased intracellular accumulation of the drug. RE blocks the binding of the VIN analogue azidopine to Pgp. Thus, it appears that RE directly inhibits Pgp activity by inhibiting the binding of drugs to Pgp.

Resveratrol inhibits transcription of CYP1A1 in vitro by preventing activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Resveratrol, a compound present in a variety of plants, was recently shown to have potent chemopreventive activity against aryl hydrocarbon-induced tumorigenesis in mice. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effect of resveratrol on the function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the transcription of CYP1A1 in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. Resveratrol inhibited the increase in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 mRNA caused by the AHR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in a concentration-dependent manner. The induction of transcription of an aryl hydrocarbon-responsive reporter vector containing the CYP1A1 promoter by TCDD was likewise inhibited by resveratrol. Resveratrol also inhibited the constitutive level of CYP1A1 mRNA and reporter vector transcription in HepG2 cells. The increase in CYP1A1 enzyme activity induced by TCDD was inhibited by resveratrol. Resveratrol prevented the TCDD-induced transformation of the cytosolic AHR to its nuclear DNA-binding form. However, resveratrol had no effect on the binding of TCDD to the cytosolic AHR. These data demonstrate that resveratrol inhibits CYP1A1 expression in vitro, and that it does this by preventing the binding of the AHR to promoter sequences that regulate CYP1A1 transcription. This activity may be an important part of the chemopreventive activity of resveratrol.

Effect of curcumin on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and cytochrome P450 1A1 in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells.

We examined the interaction of curcumin, a dietary constituent and chemopreventive compound, with the carcinogen activation pathway mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 mammary epithelial carcinoma cells. Curcumin caused a rapid accumulation of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) mRNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and CYP1A1 monooxygenase activity increased as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylation. Curcumin activated the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the xenobiotic responsive element of CYP1A1 as measured by the electrophoretic-mobility shift assay (EMSA). Curcumin was able to compete with the prototypical AhR ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin for binding to the AhR in isolated MCF-7 cytosol, indicating that it interacts directly with the receptor. Although curcumin could activate the AhR on its own, it partially inhibited the activation of AhR, as measured by EMSA, and partially decreased the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA caused by the mammary carcinogen dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Curcumin competitively inhibited CYP1A1 activity in DMBA-treated cells and in microsomes isolated from DMBA-treated cells. Curcumin also inhibited the metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts, and decreased DMBA-induced cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the chemopreventive effect of curcumin may be due, in part, to its ability to compete with aryl hydrocarbons for both the AhR and CYP1A1. Curcumin may thus be a natural ligand and substrate of the AhR pathway.

Diosmin and diosmetin are agonists of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor that differentially affect cytochrome P450 1A1 activity.

We investigated the effect of the chemopreventive compound diosmin and its aglycone form, diosmetin, on the carcinogen activation pathway mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 human breast epithelial cancer cells. Treatment of the cells with diosmin caused a dose-dependent increase in the metabolism of the mammary carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), as assessed by increased formation of DMBA-DNA adducts and by DMBA-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, treatment of the cells with diosmetin decreased both parameters. Diosmetin, but not diosmin, directly inhibited cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity in a noncompetitive manner in microsomes isolated from DMBA-treated cells, as assayed by ethyoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity. Treatment of the cells with diosmin or diosmetin, on the other hand, caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in CYP1A1 activity in intact cells that was comparable to that induced by DMBA or by the aryl hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene. Both diosmin and diosmetin caused an increase in the transcription of the CYP1A1 gene, as measured by increased levels of CYP1A1 mRNA. Both compounds caused the activation of the DNA-binding capacity of the AhR for the xenobiotic-responsive element of CYP1A1. These results indicate that diosmin and diosmetin are natural dietary agonists of the AhR, causing a potent increase in CYP1A1 transcription and CYP1A1 activity; however, only diosmetin is capable of inhibiting CYP1A1 enzyme activity, thus inhibiting carcinogen activation.

Modification of proteins in endothelial cell death during oxidative stress.

Exposure of bovine aortic endothelial cells in vitro to oxidative stress causes a cascade of changes in cell function, culminating in cell death if the stress is sufficiently severe. Oxidative modification of proteins, as measured by the reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine with carbonyl groups of oxidized proteins, increased three- to fourfold in endothelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide or to a xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. The increase in oxidative modification of protein occurred rapidly, preceding loss of cellular ATP and eventual cell death. Oxidative modification of protein was paralleled by loss of activity of the key metabolic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The finding that oxidative modification of protein is an early event following oxidative stress suggests that oxidative modification of protein is not only a marker for oxidative damage but also a causal factor in oxidative injury.

Endothelial cell-conditioned medium modulates the synthesis and structure of proteoglycans in vascular smooth muscle cells.

We studied the effect of bovine endothelial cell-conditioned medium on proteoglycan synthesis by bovine aorta smooth muscle cells. Confluent cultures were incubated with [35S]sulfate, [3H]glucosamine or [3H]serine in medium alone (control), or medium that had been conditioned on confluent endothelial cells. Metabolically labelled proteoglycans secreted into the culture medium and associated with the cell layer were quantified. During a 24 h incubation, endothelial cell-conditioned medium increased [35S]sulfate and [3H]glucosamine incorporation into medium and cell-layer proteoglycans by 59% and 95%, respectively, above controls. [3H]Serine incorporation into proteoglycan core protein was increased by 150%. The effect of endothelial cell-conditioned medium on [35S]sulfate incorporation was concentration dependent. The stimulatory effects of the conditioned medium were abolished by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, inhibitors of protein synthesis and transcription, respectively. Endothelial cell-conditioned medium caused no significant change in the degradation or secretion of proteoglycans, indicating that the increase in proteoglycans was due to increased de novo synthesis. TGF-beta neutralizing antibody inhibited 22% of the stimulatory effect of the conditioned medium, suggesting that part of the stimulation was mediated by TGF-beta. Ion-exchange chromatography of [35S]proteoglycans in the culture medium of smooth muscle cells yielded two major peaks at 0.52 and 0.57 M NaCl in both control and experimental cultures. In both cases the second peak, which represented approx. 80% of the total radioactivity, contained isomeric chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan with chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate accounting for 90% and 10% of the isomers, respectively. The isomeric chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was fractionated by hydrodynamic size on Sepharose CL-4B, resulting in three fractions (A, B and C). Analytical column chromatography of fractions A and B on Sepharose CL-2B demonstrated that proteoglycans from cultures incubated with endothelial cell-conditioned medium were larger in size than those from control cultures (M(r) fraction A, 1700,000, compared with 1200,000 M(r); fraction B, 540,000, compared with 390,000). The molecular weights of the core proteins were unchanged. The larger size of proteoglycan A in cultures exposed to endothelial cell-conditioned medium was due to an increase in both the glycosaminoglycan chain number (29 compared to 25) and molecular mass (M(r) 52,000, compared to 40,000). The hydrodynamic size of the glycosaminoglycans in proteoglycan B of control and experimental cultures was identical (M(r) 40,000). Therefore, the increase in the molecular mass of this proteoglycan was attributable to an increase in glycosaminoglycan chain number (12 compared to 9).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Heparin stimulates proteoglycan synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells while suppressing cellular proliferation.

We studied the effect of heparin on proteoglycan synthesis by bovine aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. Confluent, growth-arrested cells were incubated with [35S]sulfate, [3H]glucosamine or [3]serine in the presence of 0-600 micrograms/ml heparin. Metabolically labeled proteoglycans secreted into the culture medium and associated with the cell layer were analyzed. In cultures treated with heparin there was a dose-dependent increase in [35S]sulfate incorporation into secreted proteoglycans which reached a maximum (35% above controls) at 100 micrograms/ml heparin. At higher concentrations of heparin, the stimulatory activity declined and finally disappeared. Radioactivity in cell-associated proteoglycans increased significantly (16% above controls) only in cultures treated with 100 micrograms/ml heparin. Heparin also produced similar increases in the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine and [3H]serine into secreted and cell-associated proteoglycans. While chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate were elevated in the media, only chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate were increased in the cell layer. Heparin did not alter the degradation of proteoglycans. Heparin, while inhibiting the proliferation of subconfluent smooth muscle cells, also stimulated to a greater extent the incorporation of [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans. Other glycosaminoglycans, such as heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparin hexasaccharide and Sulodexide caused a significant but lesser stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis, while chondroitin sulfates and hyaluronic acid had no effect. Gel filtration chromatography of proteoglycans and their constituent glycosaminoglycans from heparin-treated and untreated cultures showed no differences in their molecular size. The results indicate that heparin can stimulate proteoglycan synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells irrespective of their state of proliferation. This might have implications in vessel wall repair and arterial wall lipid deposition.