Effects of Skin Extracts from Arthus Reaction Sites on Collagen Synthesis by Cultured Fibroblasts Derived from Guinea Pig Skin
Active Arthus reactions were provoked by injecting bovine serum albumin (BSA) into the skin of sensitized guinea pigs. Total and collagenous protein synthesis was determined by treating cultured fibroblasts derived from guinea pig skin with skin extract from the injection sites at 90-minute intervals after challenge injections. The total protein synthesized was determined by the incorporation of radioactive proline, and the collagenous protein synthesized was measured by the incorporation of labeled hydroxyproline. Synthesis of both total and collagenous protein in the presence of the extract from sensitized guinea pig skin was higher than with extract from non-sensitized guinea pig skin. DNA synthesis was not affected by the extract from sensitized guinea pig skin. These findings suggest that collagen synthesis increases in the early phase of an Arthus reaction.