Heparinase selectively sheds heparan sulphate from the endothelial glycocalyx

Chappell, Daniel; Jacob, Matthias; Rehm, Markus; Stoeckelhuber, Mechthild; Welsch, Ulrich; Conzen, Peter and Becker, Bernhard F. (2008): Heparinase selectively sheds heparan sulphate from the endothelial glycocalyx. In: Biological Chemistry, Vol. 389, No. 1: pp. 79-82

Abstract

A healthy vascular endothelium is coated by the endothelial glycocalyx. Its main constituents are transmembrane syndecans and bound heparan sulphates. This structure maintains the physiological endothelial permeability barrier and prevents leukocyte and platelet adhesion, thereby mitigating inflammation and tissue oedema. Heparinase, a bacteria] analogue to heparanase, is known to attack the glycocalyx. However, the exact extent and specificity of degradation is unresolved. We show by electron microscopy, immunohistological staining and quantitative measurements of the constituent parts, that heparinase selectively sheds heparan sulphate from the glycocalyx, but not the synclecans.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 500 Science > 540 Chemistry
• ISSN: 1431-6730
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English