Synthesis and cholinergic affinity of diastereomeric and enantiomeric isomers of 1-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)- pyrrolidine, 1-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)pyrrolidine and of Their iodomethylates

Four out of the eight possible stereoisomers of 1-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)pyrrolidine, 1-methyl-2-(2-methyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)pyrrolidine and the corresponding iodomethylates have been synthesised. They were formally derived from hybridisation of potent though unselective agonists studied before, such as 1,3-dioxolane 1 and 1,3-oxathiolane 2, with the structure of nicotine. It was expected that, by exalting the molecular complexity of the parent compounds, in particular through stereochemical complication in the proximity of the critical cationic head of the molecule, the chance to find agonists able to discriminate among cholinergic receptors subtypes would increase. The relative and absolute configuration of the compounds obtained has been established by means of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In preliminary studies, their binding affinity has been evaluated on rat brain nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. While none of the compounds showed any nicotinic affinity up to the dose of 10 microM, most of the iodomethylates were endowed with promising affinity for the muscarinic receptors.

A study on the thickness of radicular dentine and cementum in anterior and premolar teeth

AIM

This study aimed to measure the thickness of radicular dentine and cementum in incisors, canines and premolars, and to develop geometric average models.

METHODOLOGY

The roots of 220 extracted human teeth were sectioned in three horizontal parallel planes and measured using an optical microscope. For each cut surface buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal thickness of the root wall was measured. Mean values of the thickness at each location of each cut surface were calculated. The observed differences in thickness by tooth type, location, and section were compared by ANOVA and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Maxillary central incisors and maxillary canines had the greatest widths. In all teeth with a single root, the wall thickness were greater on the lingual side than the buccal side. Although differences between mesial and distal thicknesses were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Wall thickness varied greatly. The lingual surfaces of roots were larger. All roots had thin walls in the apical third.

trans-Dichlorotetrakis(4-methylpyrimidine-N1)ruthenium(II)

The title compound, trans-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(N(1)-mepym)(4)] (mepym is 4-methylpyrimidine, C(5)H(6)N(2)), obtained from the reaction of trans,cis,cis-[Ru(II)Cl(2)(N(1)-mepym)(2)(SbPh(3))(2)] (Ph is phenyl) with excess mepym in ethanol, has fourfold crystallographic symmetry and has the four pyrimidine bases coordinated through N(1) and arranged in a propeller-like orientation. The Ru-N and Ru-Cl bond distances are 2.082 (2) and 2.400 (4) A, respectively. The methyl group, and the N(3) and Cl atoms are involved in intermolecular C-H...N and C-H...Cl hydrogen-bond interactions.

Structure–activity relationships in 2,2-diphenyl-2-ethylthioacetic acid esters unexpected agonistic activity in a series of muscarinic antagonists

As a continuation of previous research on anticholinergic drugs derived from 2,2-diphenyl-2-ethylthioacetic acid, several 5,5-diphenyl-5-ethylthio-2-pentynamines (2-11) were synthetised and their antimuscarinic activity on M(1-4) receptor subtypes was evaluated by functional tests and binding experiments. One of the compounds obtained showed unexpected agonistic activity in functional experiments on M(2) receptors. Since the compound carried a phenylpiperazine moiety, other similar compounds (12-17) were prepared and found to be endowed with similar behaviour. These ligands, although possessing the bulky structure characterising muscarinic antagonists, display agonistic activity at M(2) subtypes while, as expected, behaving as antagonists on M(3) and M(4) subtypes. On M(1) subtypes, they show agonistic activity which, however, is not blocked by atropine. The peculiar pharmacological profile of these compounds is of interest for studying muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Interleukin secretion, proteoglycan and procollagen alpha(1)(I) gene expression in Crouzon fibroblasts treated with basic fibroblast growth factor

The present study provides the first evidence that fibroblasts obtained from patients affected by Crouzon syndrome, a rare craniosynostosis, despite mutations in the high-affinity bFGF receptor retain their capacity to respond to bFGF. The growth factor reduces IL-1 secretion, downregulates biglycan and procollagen alpha(1)(I), and increases betaglycan expression. Since betaglycan is a co-receptor for bFGF signalling, an alternative signal transduction pathway is suggested in Crouzon fibroblasts, to explain the documented changes in ECM macromolecule production.

Design, synthesis, and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of 1, 4-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-9-ones as a new class of highly potent nootropic agents

Several 4-substituted 1,4-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-9-ones have been synthesized and tested in vivo on mouse passive avoidance test, to evaluate their nootropic activity. The results show that they represent a new class of nootropic drugs with a pharmacological profile very similar to that of piracetam, showing much higher potency with respect to the reference. Among the compounds studied, 7 (DM 232) shows outstanding potency, being active at the dose of 0. 001 mg kg(-1) sc.

TGFbeta isoforms and decorin gene expression are modified in fibroblasts obtained from non-syndromic cleft lip and palate subjects

Interaction between extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytokines is thought to be crucial for palatal development. The localization of transforming growth factors (TGFalpha and TGFbeta isoforms) in craniofacial tissues suggests that they carry out multiple functions during development. In the present report, we studied TGFalpha, TGFbeta1, and TGFbeta3 expressions and their effects on ECM macromolecule production of normal and cleft palatal fibroblasts in vitro, to investigate the mechanisms by which the phenotypic modulation of fibroblasts occurs during the cleft palate process. The results indicated that, while TGFalpha mRNA was not evidenced in CLP or normal fibroblasts, a reduced TGFbeta1 hybridization signal was detected in CLP fibroblasts. In addition, these secreted more active TGFbeta3 than TGFbeta1, as evaluated in a biological assay. The CLP phenotype, which differed from the normal one because of its higher PG decorin expression and greater production of GAG and collagen, was further modified by the addition of growth factors. In fact, in CLP fibroblasts, TGFalpha and TGFbeta1 down-regulated PG decorin transcript, TGFbeta1 increased collagen and GAG in both cellular and extracellular compartments, and TGFbeta3 promoted secretory processes of cells. In conclusion, the data represent the first report in a human model in vitro that TGFbeta1 and beta3 are differently expressed and are correlated to the CLP phenotype. Thus, strength is given to the hypothesis that TGFbeta isoforms are the potential inducers of phenotypic expression in palatal fibroblasts during development and that an autocrine growth factor production mechanism may be responsible for the phenotypic modifications.

A regulatory role of fibroblast growth factor in the expression of decorin, biglycan, betaglycan and syndecan in osteoblasts from patients with Crouzon's syndrome

Bone development is controlled by the autocrine and/or paracrine effects of regulatory molecules. We previously showed that the phenotype of fibroblasts obtained from patients affected by Crouzon's syndrome, an autosomal dominant disease characterized by pathological skull bone development, differed from that of normal cells and was regulated by interleukin treatments. The changes in the relative concentrations of extracellular macromolecules (glycosaminoglycans-GAG, collagen and fibronectin) were associated with abnormal interleukin secretion that affected the microenvironment where the osteogenic processes take place. Mutations in human fibroblast growth factor receptors are now thought to be involved in Crouzon's syndrome. Since coactivation of interleukins and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is probably implicated in morphogenetic and osteogenic processes and heparan sulphate proteoglycans have a critical role in regulating bFGF activity, the phenotypes of normal and Crouzon osteoblasts were studied and the effects of bFGF on the expression of bFGF, procollagen alpha1 (I), and proteoglycan (PG) genes for biglycan, decorin, betaglycan and syndecan analyzed. Specific human cDNA probes were used to screen the relative levels of mRNA by Northern analysis. Spontaneous or bFGF-modulated release of interleukins was also assayed. The bFGF gene transcript was detected only in Crouzon osteoblasts. We showed for the first time that Crouzon osteoblasts, despite a mutation in the FGF receptor, still responded to exogenous bFGE In fact, the growth factor induced changes in the GAG profile and in the levels of mRNA coding for PG and procollagen alpha1 (I) and down-regulated heparan sulfate GAG chains. ELISA showed that bFGF-induced interleukin secretion differed in normal and Crouzon osteoblasts. The observed differences in PG core protein, procollagen alpha1 (I) and bFGF could be associated with the Crouzon bone phenotype and also should provide further understanding on the molecular basis of the diseased state of bone.

Hybridized and isosteric analogues of N1-acetyl-N4-dimethyl-piperazinium iodide (ADMP) and N1-phenyl-N4-dimethyl-piperazinium iodide (DMPP) with central nicotinic action

A series of piperazine derivatives, obtained by hybridization of N1-acetyl-N4-dimethyl-piperazinium iodide (1, ADMP) and N1-phenyl-N4-dimethyl-piperazinium iodide (3, DMPP) or of the corresponding tertiary bases (2, 4) with arecoline (5) and arecolone (6) or by isosteric substitution of the phenyl ring of DMPP, has been synthesized. Hybridization afforded compounds that, both as tertiary bases and as iodomethylates, have no affinity for the nicotinic receptor. On the contrary, isosteric substitution gave compounds that maintain affinity for the receptor; among them, two tertiary bases (37, 38), show affinity in the nanomolar range for the nicotinic receptor. The pharmacological profile of these isomeric compounds is quite interesting as they present differences in their peripheral and central effects, suggesting that they interact with different subtypes of the nicotinic receptor.

Comparative effects of TGFbeta on proliferation of 7- and 14-day-old chick embryo fibroblasts and lack of involvement of the ODC/PA system in the TGFbeta signaling pathway

The growth regulatory activity of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) on chick embryo skin fibroblasts was compared in two developmental ages, days 7 and 14. The time course of 3H-thymidine incorporation, an S-phase marker of replication, was determined during 36 hr of TGFbeta treatment. Seven-day-old cells showed a prereplicative phase of 6 hr, and 14-day-old cells showed a prereplicative phase of 12 hr. DNA synthesis peaked at 24 hr in 7-day-old fibroblasts and was 10 times higher than that in 14-day-old fibroblasts. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and content of the natural polyamines spermine (Spm), spermidine (Spd), and putrescine (Put) differed during cell cycle. ODC activity peaked at 12 hr in 7-day-old cells and at 6 hr in 14-day-old cells. Its level was two times higher at day 7 and was associated with a greater content of ODC mRNA. The maximum of polyamine (PA) concentration was determined after 12 hr of treatment in 7-day-old cells and after 36 hr in 14-day-old cells. These findings indicate that the TGFbeta proliferative response of embryo fibroblasts changes during development and is associated with activation of the ODC/PA system. Cotreatment with alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of ODC, did not reduced growth rate. Inhibition of ODC resulted in levels of Put and Spd comparable to that of quiescent fibroblasts, whereas Spm concentration remained higher. Because an altered ODC metabolism does not convey the effects of TGFbeta on DNA synthesis, the ODC/PA system may not play a role in the pathway of TGFbeta signaling.

Antisense 'knockdowns' of M1 receptors induces transient anterograde amnesia in mice

The effect on memory processes of inactivation of the M1 gene by an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (aODN) was investigated in the mouse passive avoidance test. Mice received a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of M1 aODN (0.3, 1.0 or 2.0 nmol per injection), degenerated ODN (dODN) or vehicle on days 1, 4 and 7. An amnesic effect, comparable to that produced by antimuscarinic drugs, was observed 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the last i.c.v. aODN injection, whereas dODN and vehicle, used as controls, did not produce any effect. Reduction in the entrance latency to the dark compartment induced by aODN disappeared 7 days after the end of aODN treatment, which indicates the absence of any irreversible damage or toxicity caused by aODN. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that a decrease in M1 mRNA levels occurred only in the aODN-treated group, being absent in all control groups. Furthermore, a reduction in M1 receptors was observed in the hippocampus of aODN-treated mice. Neither aODN, dODN nor vehicle produced any behavioral impairment of mice. These results indicate that the integrity and functionality of M1 receptors are fundamental in the modulation of memory processes.

Further structure-activity relationships in the series of tropanyl esters endowed with potent antinociceptive activity

Several analogs of the alpha-tropanyl esters of 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (SM21) and 2-phenylthiobutyric acid (SM32), endowed with potent antinociceptive and cognition enhancing activity, were synthesized, aimed at obtaining more potent and safe drug candidates. Variation of the acyl moiety (4-11), as well as the conformational restriction of atropine to give the alpha-tropanyl ester of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurane-3-carboxylic acid (18), practically abolished activity. In the case of 18, the antimuscarinic activity was also severely affected by the conformation restrain. On the contrary, conformational restriction of phenoxybutyric and phenylthiobutyric acid derivatives to give the alpha-tropanyl ester of 2,3-dihydro-benzofurane-2-carboxylic acid and 2,3-dihydro-benzothiophene-2-carboxylic acid (12-17), afforded potent analgesic drugs that unfortunately were too toxic to be reliable drug candidates. A series of related esters of benzofurane-3-carboxylic acid (20-27) and benzothiophene-3-carboxylic acid (28) were also studied and found to be potent but toxic analgesics.

Glycosaminoglycan profile in macrophages exposed to Candida albicans and interleukins

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG), are extracellular matrix macromolecules that affect the phagocytic properties of macrophages. In order to assess whether the interaction between macrophages and Candida albicans (iCa) provokes changes in the phenotype, we analyzed the GAG profiles in two macrophage lines, ANA-1 (from murine bone-marrow) and BV-2 (from murine brain). We also investigated GAG modulation by interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). During iCa treatment and even after the addition of ILs, ANA-1 accumulated less total GAG compared to controls. IL-1 treatment, combined with iCa exposure, induced a decrease in heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate chains, and an increase in the hyaluronic acid percentage. IL-6 treatment, with or without iCa, decreased the hyaluronic acid/sulfated GAG ratio. The GAG pattern in BV-2 appears to be different to ANA-1 and iCa exposure does not induce any difference in total GAG. The inhibitory effect induced by ILs on GAG synthesis is less than that observed in ANA-1 and the GAG elution profile is modulated to a lesser extent by treatment with ILs and/or iCa compared to the ANA-1. We suggest that the observed changes in the expression of the individual GAG classes may be responsible for the macrophage functional heterogeneity.

Role of growth factors on extracellular matrix production by chick embryo fibroblasts in vitro. Antagonist effect of TGF-beta through the control of IL-1 and IL-1Ra secretion

Growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules create specific environments that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. This study had two main aims: (1) to characterize the phenotype of 7- and 13-day-old chick embryo fibroblasts treated with interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) evaluating in particular the neosynthesis of the total proteins and of the fibronectin (FN); (2) to examine the mechanisms through which transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) antagonizes the action of IL-1. The results show that protein neosynthesis and secretion is modulated by treatment with IL-1 and IL-6 only in 7-day-old fibroblasts. IL-1 favours cellular accumulation, while IL-6 promotes secretion more. FN, isolated by affinity chromatography and analysed by SDS-PAGE and flurography, is produced in greater concentrations by 7-day-old fibroblasts. Treatment with IL-1 promotes the accumulation of FN in the cellular compartment both at 7 and 13 days, while it stimulates the secretion only in 7-day-old fibroblasts. IL-6 only has a stimulating effect on the processes of accumulation and secretion on 13-day-old fibroblasts. The authors show in addition, that TFG-beta blocks the IL-1 induced inhibitory effect on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen production, evaluated with [3H]glucosamine and [3H]proline incorporation studies, respectively. The effect is evident when TGF-beta is added either before of with the cytokine. Analysis in cell culture supernatants, using specific ELISA kit and the study of the proliferative responses in mouse thymocytes, showed that TGF-beta induces its antagonist effects through a downregulation of IL-1 and/or an upregulation of IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1Ra). Considered as a whole the data indicate that the ILs and TGF-beta are involved in the physiological age-dependent accumulation of ECM and that the balance between the secreted cytokine network and IL-1Ra amount, may represent a homeostatic mechanism aimed at controlling normal embyrogenesis.

Interleukin pattern of Apert fibroblasts in vitro

The phenotype of cultured fibroblasts from patients affected by Apert's syndrome, a rare connective disorder, differs from that of normal cells in its extracellular matrix macromolecule composition (glycosaminoglycans, collagens and fibronectin) and is further modulated by treatment with interleukins (ILs). As the mechanisms responsible for the changes are unknown, we used our recently described model system for Apert periosteal fibroblasts to ascertain whether the pattern of ILs they secrete into the medium is comparable to that of normal fibroblasts. The results obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) show that the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were lower in Apert than in normal media, whereas levels of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), the natural inhibitor of IL-1, were markedly higher. IL-1 specific bio-activity on thymocyte proliferation was also decreased in Apert supernatants. As we provided also evidence that active transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta1), an IL-1 antagonist, was not secreted in greater amount in Apert media with respect to normals, the enhancement of IL-1ra appeared critical in down-regulating IL-1. Northern blot analysis of cytokine mRNA revealed no detectable IL-1 or IL-6 gene expression in normal fibroblasts, but high amounts of IL-6 mRNA transcripts in Apert cells. As the increased IL-6 gene expression did not translate into a parallel increase of secreted IL-6, the control of IL-6 secretion may be mainly post-transcriptional. Furthermore, the result that a treatment of the cultures with IL-1ra was able to induce a decrease of IL-6 secretion, suggests that the observed decreased secretion of IL-6 may be due to the autocrine action of overproduction of IL-1ra. The observed imbalance in the production of ILs which we show for the first time suggests ILs may be the natural autocrine regulators of ECM production in Apert fibroblasts. We hypothesize that in vitro differences previously reported in fibroblast phenotypes and several clinical features of Apert's syndrome may correlate with different cytokine patterns.

Antinociceptive and antiamnesic properties of the presynaptic cholinergic amplifier PG-9

The antinociceptive effect of 3 alpha-tropyl 2-(p-bromophenyl)propionate [(+/-)-PG-9] (10-40 mg kg-1 s.c.; 30-60 mg kg-1 p.o.; 10-30 mg kg-1 i.v.; 10-30 micrograms/mouse i.c.v.) was examined in mice, rats and guinea pigs by use of the hot-plate, abdominal-constriction, tail-flick and paw-pressure tests. (+/-)-PG-9 antinociception peaked 15 min after injection and then slowly diminished. The antinociception produced by (+/-)-PG-9 was prevented by the unselective muscarinic antagonist atropine, the M1-selective antagonists pirenzepine and dicyclomine and the acetylcholine depletor hemicholinium-3, but not by the opioid antagonist naloxone, the gamma-aminobutyric acidB antagonist 3-aminopropyl-diethoxy-methyl-phosphinic acid, the H3 agonist R-(alpha)-methylhistamine, the D2 antagonist quinpirole, the 5-hydroxytryptamine4 antagonist 2-methoxy-4-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid 2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester hydrochloride, the 5-hydroxytryptamin1A antagonist 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl]piperazine hydrobromide and the polyamines depletor reserpine. Based on these data, it can be postulated that (+/-)-PG-9 exerted an antinociceptive effect mediated by a central potentiation of cholinergic transmission. (+/-)-PG-9 (10-40 mg kg-1 i.p.) was able to prevent amnesia induced by scopolamine (1 mg kg-1 i.p.) and dicyclomine (2 mg kg-1 i.p.) in the mouse passive-avoidance test. Affinity profiles of (+/-)-PG-9 for muscarinic receptor subtypes, determined by functional studies (rabbit vas deferens for M1, guinea pig atrium for M2, guinea pig ileum for M3 and immature guinea pig uterus for putative M4), have shown an M4/M1 selectivity ratio of 10.2 that might be responsible for the antinociception and the anti-amnesic effect induced by (+/-)-PG-9 through an increase in acetylcholine extracellular levels. In the antinociceptive and antiamnesic dose range, (+/-)-PG-9 did not impair mouse performance evaluated by the rota-rod test and Animex apparatus.

In vitro characterization of a novel, potent and selective M3 antagonist

The pharmacological profile of the competitive muscarinic antagonist (2S, 3'R) 3-quinuclidinyl tropate, abbreviated (-)-2a, was evaluated on rabbit vas deferens (M1/M4-like; pA2=9.10), guinea-pig left atrium (M2; pA2=9.30), guinea-pig ileum (M3; pA2=10.33) and guinea-pig uterus (M4 putative; pA2=9.70) muscarinic receptors and on the five subtypes of muscarinic receptors expressed individually in CHO-K1 cells. The drug shows an affinity for the M3 receptor subtype at least 10-fold higher than 4-DAMP, p-HHSiD and zamifenacin, used as reference drugs. These results suggest (-)-2a as a novel, potent and selective M3 antagonist that may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of conditions associated with increased smooth muscle contractility.

Antinociceptive profile of 3-alpha-tropanyl 2-(4-Cl-phenoxy)butyrate (SM-21) [corrected]: a novel analgesic with a presynaptic cholinergic mechanism of action

The antinociceptive effect of (+/-)-3-alpha-tropanyl 2-(4-Cl-phenoxy)butyrate [corrected] (SM-21) (10-40 mg kg(-1) s.c., 10-30 mg kg(-1) i.p., 20-60 mg kg(-1) p.o., 3-20 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 5-20 microg per mouse i.c.v.) was examined in rodents and guinea pigs by using the hot-plate, abdominal constriction, tail-flick and paw-pressure tests. The antinociception produced by (+/-)-SM-21 was prevented by atropine, pirenzepine and hemicholinium-3 but not by quinpirole, R-(alpha)-methylhistamine, [1-[2(methylsufonyl)amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]methyl-5-floro++ +-2-methoxy-1H-indole-3-carboxylate hydrochloride, N6-cyclopentyladenosine, 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl]piperazine hydrobromide, naloxone, 3-aminopropyl-diethoxy-methyl-phosphinic acid or reserpine. On the basis of the above data, it can be postulated that (+/-)-SM-21 exerted an antinociceptive effect mediated by a central potentiation of cholinergic transmission. Affinity profiles of (+/-)-SM-21 for muscarinic receptor subtypes, determined by functional studies (rabbit vas deferens for M1, guinea pig atrium for M2, guinea pig ileum for M3 and immature guinea pig uterus for putative M4) have shown a selectivity ratio M2/M1 of 4.6 that, although very low, might be responsible for the antinociception induced by (+/-)-SM-21 through an increase in ACh extracellular levels. In the antinociceptive dose range, (+/-)-SM-21 did not impair mouse performance evaluated by the rota-rod and hole-board tests.

Apert's syndrome: differential in vitro production of matrix macromolecules and its regulation by interleukins

During embryonic development, variations in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules influence bone tissue differentiation. We present novel findings on the in vitro phenotypic expression of periosteal fibroblasts obtained from patients affected by Apert's syndrome, a rare craniofacial malformation, and the effects that interleukins (ILs) induce on the phenotype. Apert fibroblasts synthesized greater quantities of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and intracellular type I collagen, and also produced more type III collagen and fibronectin. The amount of hyaluronic acid (HA) secreted by Apert fibroblasts was much higher than that secreted by normal fibroblasts, but, as the absolute values of heparan sulphate (HS), chondroitin sulphate (CS) and dermatan sulphate (DS) also rose in Apert media, the HA-sulphated GAG ratio was similar in the media obtained from both populations. Both ILs triggered elevations of HA in normal cells, although relative percentage secretion remained unaltered, but significantly reduced HA secretion by Apert cells. IL-1 significantly increased CS in normal and Apert media, whereas IL-6 enhanced HS and DS in media of both populations. HA-sulphated GAG ratio decreased in Apert media after IL treatment. Both ILs boosted fibronectin production by Apert fibroblasts, whereas IL-1 increased type III but not type I collagen. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the synthesis and secretion of ECM macromolecules are markedly altered in Apert fibroblasts. The fact that treatment with ILs further modifies the Apert phenotype suggests that ILs may be implicated in the pathophysiology of the malformations during skull morphogenesis.