Effect of a platelet endoglycosidase on cell surface associated heparan sulphate of human cultured endothelial and glial cells

• Published in: Thrombosis research Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 309 - 321
• Main Authors: Wasteson, Ake, Glimelius, Bengt, Busch, Christer, Westermark, Bengt, Heldin, Carl-Henrik, Norling, Börje
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.1977
• Subjects: cetylpyridinium chloride; CPC; heparan sulphate; PBS; phosphate buffered saline; PBS; CPC; HS
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/0049-3848(77)90184-0

Incubation of human cultured endothelial and glial cells with a heparan sulphate degrading enzyme derived from human platelets led to the liberation and degradation of cell surface associated heparan sulphate. The effect was specific in that nearly all of the available heparan sulphate was removed, whereas the chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate were left unaffected. Heparin, like heparan sulphate was depolymerized by the enzyme; exogeneously added heparin protected the cell surface associated heparan sulphate from being attacked by the platelet enzyme. In contrast, protease inhibitors had no effect. Also, heparin caused a liberation of heparan sulphate from the cell surface associated fraction. It is suggested that the heparan sulphate degrading enzyme, after release from the platelets, may act on endothelial heparan sulphate within the vascular system. Such a modification of cell surface associated heparan sulphate may influence interactions between the vascular lining and circulating components, e.g. coagulation factors or blood cells.