Effect of D-Penicillamine on Release of Mucopolysaccharidases by Lysosomal Labilizers in Cultured Fibroblasts

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Abstract
The effect of D-penicillamine on release of mucopolysaccharidases (N-acetyl-.beta.-glucosaminidase and .beta.-glucuronidase) by lysosomal labilizers was tested using cultured fibroblasts derived from rat carrageenin granuloma. The release of N-acetyl-.beta.-glucosaminidase and .beta.-glucuronidase into the culture medium was stimulated by treatment with Ca-EDTA (1 mM) or vitamin A (10 .mu.g/ml) by which the fibroblasts remained morphologically intact. The release of both enzymes into the culture medium was inhibited by treatment with D-penicillamine (over 1 mM). When 0.5 mM D-penicillamine, which shows no effect on the release of mucopolysaccharidases, was added simultaneously with Ca-EDTA or vitamin A, release of both enzymes was considerably inhibited. These results are discussed in relation to the mode of action of D-penicillamine as an antirheumatic drug.