Effects of Staphylococcus aureus lysozyme on human fibroblasts.

The purified lysozyme excreted by Staphylococcus aureus strains promotes elongation and spreading on plastic surfaces and stimulates DNA synthesis of human fibroblasts (WI38). This enzyme also raises twofold the saturation density level of cultures of these cells. It is suggested that the primitive and main effect of lysozyme on fibroblasts is the triggering of morphogenesis.