Quantitative determination and comparison of the glycosaminoglycan Δ-disaccharide composition in 22 different human cell lines

Changes in proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and distribution may play an important role in the development of many diseases, atherosclerosis, cancer and diabetes. Human cell lines act as models for the underlying pathomechanisms. Despite the importance of proteoglycans for cell functioning, information on the GAG composition of most human cell lines is limited. Comparative analysis of the GAG Δdisaccharide amount in 22 human cell lines yielded a mean value of 94 ± 58 pmol/106 cells (mean ± SEM). Total GAG amount and heparan sulfate/heparin Δdisaccharide composition, but not chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate Δdisaccharide composition, differed significantly between the investigated adherent and suspension cell lines. We provide a novel overview of GAG Δdisaccharide composition in 22 different human cell lines.