Pretibial myxoedema: stimulation of mucopolysaccharide production of fibroblasts by serum

Abstract
Sera from normal individuals and patients with pretibial myxedema contain a factor which stimulates mucopolysaccharide biosynthesis in normal human skin fibroblasts cultured in vitro. This factor was present in larger amounts in sera of patients with pretibial myxedema. The role of growth stimulating factors in serum is reviewed. The fibroblast stimulating factor is apparently somatomedin; its presence in increased amounts in thyroid disease may lead to pretibial myxedema.