Hyaluronan reduces migration and proliferation in CHO cells

Expression of the hyaluronan synthase gene in hyaluronan-deficient CI-IO cells changed the cell morphology from a spindle shape to a flattened epithelial-type form. Hyaluronan producing CHO cells showed reduced initial cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and density at contact inhibition, but no difference in random migration determined by the Boyden chamber assay. Addition of hyaluronan to the medium of CHO cells reduced migration, proliferation and initial cell adhesion. In contrast, coating the plastic dish with hyaluronan enhanced initial cell adhesion. These results are discussed in the contest of the perplexing properties of hyaluronan on cellular functions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.