Glycosaminoglycan Composition of Germfree Dog Lungs 1

Abstract

Abstract

Connective tissue of the lung is fundamentally important to pulmonary function. Exposure to foreign materials such as environmental toxins and microorganisms alters the connective tissue composition of pulmonary structures. In an effort to obtain information on the nature of complex carbohydrates in lungs unexposed to foreign materials, the composition of glycosaminoglycans from germfree dogs was studied. The total glycosaminoglycan concentration in germfree dog lungs was 47% greater than that in conventional dog lungs. Variations in individual glycosaminoglycan concentrations between germfree dog lungs and conventional dog lungs were noted. Heparan sulfate and heparin concentrations were lower in germfree dog lungs than in conventional dog lungs. Heparan sulfate fractions from germfree dog lungs had lower total sulfate content than heparan sulfate fractions from conventional dog lungs. The differences in glycosaminoglycan composition between germfree dog lungs and conventional dog lungs are likely due to exposure of conventional animals to a “normal” microbial flora and other environmental factors.