Abstract
The production of heparanase, an endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparan sulfate from the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM), was investigated in various murine B-lymphoid tumors representing distinct maturation stages of the B-cell lineage. We found that heparanase is produced and released by 3 out of 4 pre-B lymphomas and by 4 B lymphomas examined. In contrast, 5 plasmacytomas and resting normal B lymphocytes, expressed little, if any, heparanase activity. Treatment with LPS resulted in high expression of the enzyme by normal B-lymphocytes, but there was no effect on the constitutive production of heparanase by myeloma or B-lymphoma cells. Our results indicate that heparanase is produced by B cells during discrete stages of their maturation. We suggest that heparanase may play a role in B-cell migration by enabling pre-B and B lymphocytes to leave the bone-marrow compartment and recirculate among peripheral lymphoid organs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
