Interaction Of Heparin Research Articles

Heparin Prevents Intracellular Hyaluronan Synthesis and Autophagy Responses in Hyperglycemic Dividing Mesangial Cells and Activates Synthesis of an Extensive Extracellular Monocyte-adhesive Hyaluronan Matrix after Completing Cell Division

Growth-arrested rat mesangial cells (RMCs) at a G0/G1 interphase stimulated to divide in hyperglycemic medium initiate intracellular hyaluronan synthesis that induces autophagy/cyclin D3-induced formation of a monocyte-adhesive extracellular hyaluronan matrix after completing cell division. This study shows that heparin inhibits the intracellular hyaluronan synthesis and autophagy responses, but at the end of cell division it induces synthesis of a much larger extracellular monocyte-adhesive hyaluronan matrix. Heparin bound to RMC surfaces by 1 h, internalizes into the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum region by 2 h, and was nearly gone by 4 h. Treatment by heparin for only the first 4 h was sufficient for its function. Streptozotocin diabetic rats treated daily with heparin showed similar results. Glomeruli in sections of diabetic kidneys showed extensive accumulation of autophagic RMCs, increased hyaluronan matrix, and influx of macrophages over 6 weeks. Hyaluronan staining in the glomeruli of heparin-treated diabetic rats was very high at week 1 and decreased to near control level by 6 weeks without any RMC autophagy. However, the influx of macrophages by 6 weeks was as pronounced as in diabetic glomeruli. The results are as follows: 1) heparin blocks synthesis of hyaluronan in intracellular compartments, which prevents the autophagy and cyclin D3 responses thereby allowing RMCs to complete cell division and sustain function; 2) interaction of heparin with RMCs in early G1 phase is sufficient to induce signaling pathway(s) for its functions; and 3) influxed macrophages effectively remove the hyaluronan matrix without inducing pro-fibrotic responses that lead to nephropathy and proteinurea in diabetic kidneys.

Pulse radiolysis and spectrophotometric studies on the binding of organic cations with heparin

Here we present the spectroscopic and pulse radiolysis studies of the interactions of heparin and some organic cations:methylene blue (MB), 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA+), and its dimer 1,3-bis(1-methylnicotinamide)propane (bis(MNA+)).The interaction between heparin and some cationic dyes (e.g. methylene blue) in aqueous solution leads to the changes in the absorption spectra of those dyes. This effect, called metachromasia, has been successfully used to study the interactions of a number of cationic dyes with heparin and other glycosaminoglycans.Using methylene blue, as a model compound, we have shown that the changes in the rate constant for the reaction of solvated electrons with cationic dye in the presence of heparin (pulse radiolysis) are well correlated with the accompanying changes in the absorption spectra (metachromasia). The same mathematical formalism was applied to absorption and rate constants changes. Using such formalism, we have determined the total number of binding sites per heparin molecule and the equilibrium constants for MNA+ and bis(MNA+).

Single Gold Nanoparticle Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectral Imaging for Quantifying Binding Constant of Carbohydrate–Protein Interaction

Quantifying carbohydrate-protein (ligand-receptor) interactions is important to understand diverse biological processes and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. We develop an approach to quantitatively study carbohydrate-protein interactions by Au nanoparticle localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak position shift at the single particles level. Unlike the previous techniques for single particle LSPR spectral imaging, only the first-order streak of an individual nanoparticle is needed to extract a LSPR spectrum, which has great potential to increase throughput to 500 single particle spectra in each frame. LSPR peak shift of protein modified single Au nanoparticles is found to be a function of its ligand concentration, which can be used to fit the binding constants of the interactions. The moderate interactions of Antithrombin III (AT III) and heparins including low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are determined as well as the strong interaction of transferrin and antitransferrin and the weak interaction of bovine serum album (BSA) and heparin. The measured binding constants of transferrin to antitransferrin, heparin and LMWH to AT III, and BSA to heparin are (3.0 ± 0.6) × 10(9) M(-1), (3.1 ± 0.3) × 10(6) M(-1), (8.0 ± 0.5) × 10(5) M(-1), and (5.1 ± 0.1) × 10(3) M(-1), respectively, which are in good agreement with the reported values.

Characterization of Amyloid Formation by Glucagon-Like Peptides: Role of Basic Residues in Heparin-Mediated Aggregation

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been reported to play a significant role in amyloid formation of a wide range of proteins/peptides either associated with diseases or native biological functions. The exact mechanism by which GAGs influence amyloid formation is not clearly understood. Here, we studied two closely related peptides, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP2), for their amyloid formation in the presence and absence of the representative GAG heparin using various biophysical and computational approaches. We show that the aggregation and amyloid formation by these peptides follow distinct mechanisms: GLP1 follows nucleation-dependent aggregation, whereas GLP2 forms amyloids without any significant lag time. Investigating the role of heparin, we also found that heparin interacts with GLP1, accelerates its aggregation, and gets incorporated within its amyloid fibrils. In contrast, heparin neither affects the aggregation kinetics of GLP2 nor gets embedded within its fibrils. Furthermore, we found that heparin preferentially influences the stability of the GLP1 fibrils over GLP2 fibrils. To understand the specific nature of the interaction of heparin with GLP1 and GLP2, we performed all-atom MD simulations. Our in silico results show that the basic-nonbasic-basic (B-X-B) motif of GLP1 (K28-G29-R30) facilitates the interaction between heparin and peptide monomers. However, the absence of such a motif in GLP2 could be the reason for a significantly lower strength of interaction between GLP2 and heparin. Our study not only helps to understand the role of heparin in inducing protein aggregation but also provides insight into the nature of heparin-protein interaction.

Heparin Modulates the Endopeptidase Activity of Leishmania mexicana Cysteine Protease Cathepsin L-Like rCPB2.8

BackgroundCysteine protease B is considered crucial for the survival and infectivity of the Leishmania in its human host. Several microorganism pathogens bind to the heparin-like glycosaminoglycans chains of proteoglycans at host-cell surface to promote their attachment and internalization. Here, we have investigated the influence of heparin upon Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease rCPB2.8 activity.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe data analysis revealed that the presence of heparin affects all steps of the enzyme reaction: (i) it decreases 3.5-fold the k 1 and 4.0-fold the k −1, (ii) it affects the acyl-enzyme accumulation with pronounced decrease in k 2 (2.7-fold), and also decrease in k 3 (3.5-fold). The large values of ΔG = 12 kJ/mol for the association and dissociation steps indicate substantial structural strains linked to the formation/dissociation of the ES complex in the presence of heparin, which underscore a conformational change that prevents the diffusion of substrate in the rCPB2.8 active site. Binding to heparin also significantly decreases the α-helix content of the rCPB2.8 and perturbs the intrinsic fluorescence emission of the enzyme. The data strongly suggest that heparin is altering the ionization of catalytic (Cys25)-S−/(His163)-Im+ H ion pair of the rCPB2.8. Moreover, the interaction of heparin with the N-terminal pro-region of rCPB2.8 significantly decreased its inhibitory activity against the mature enzyme.Conclusions/SignificanceTaken together, depending on their concentration, heparin-like glycosaminoglycans can either stimulate or antagonize the activity of cysteine protease B enzymes during parasite infection, suggesting that this glycoconjugate can anchor parasite cysteine protease at host cell surface.

Heparin Inhibits Activation of Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β1

Aim: Besides acting as an anticoagulant, heparin has antifibrotic effects. Transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) is secreted from cells as latent TGF-β₁ (LTGF-β₁). LTGF-β₁ consists of TGF-β₁ and latency-associated peptide (LAP). To be biologically active, TGF-β₁ has to be released from LAP. Heparin binds to LAP as well as TGF-β₁. This study was performed to explore the biological effect of the interaction of heparin with LTGF-β₁. Materials and Methods: TGF-β₁ was measured by ELISA. Furin-like proprotein convertase activity was assayed using the fluorogenic substrate, Pyr-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-AMC. Results: Heparin did not interfere with the receptor binding of TGF-β₁, but inhibited furin-like proprotein convertase-mediated activation of platelet LTGF-β₁. This was not by inhibition of the enzyme because heparin did not inhibit the activity of furin-like proprotein convertase. In addition, heparin inhibited acid activations of recombinant small LTGF-β₁, platelet LTGF-β₁ and LTGF-β₁s secreted in the supernatant of cultured cells. Low-molecular-weight heparins, including dalteparin, enoxaparin and nadroparin, also had inhibitory effects on furin-like proprotein convertase-mediated or acid activation of platelet LTGF-β₁. Conclusion: The findings suggest that heparin renders LTGF-β₁ resistant to activation, possibly by binding simultaneously to TGF-β₁ and LAP. Inhibition of LTGF-β₁ activation by heparin may in part account for its antifibrotic effects.

The establishment and validation of efficient assays for anti-IIa and anti-Xa activities of heparin sodium and heparin calcium

Heparin is used as an anticoagulant drug. The anticoagulation process is mainly caused by the interaction of heparin with antithrombin followed by inhibition of anticoagulant factor IIa and factor Xa. The anti-factor IIa and anti-factor Xa activities of heparin are critical for its anticoagulant effect; however, physicochemical methods that can reflect these activities have not been established. Thus, the measurements of anti-IIa and anti-Xa activities by biological assay are critical for the quality control of heparin products. Currently in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), the activities of heparin sodium and heparin calcium are measured by an anti-Xa activity assay (anti-Xa assay), but anti-IIa activity is not measured. Here, we established an anti-IIa activity assay (anti-IIa assay) and an anti-Xa assay having good accuracy and precision. When samples having a relative activity of 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 were measured by the established anti-IIa and anti-Xa assays in nine laboratories, good accuracy (100.0–102.8% and 101.6–102.8%, respectively), good intermediate precision (1.9–2.1% and 2.4–4.2%, respectively) and good reproducibility (4.0–4.8% and 3.6–6.4%, respectively) were obtained. The established anti-IIa and anti-Xa assays have similar protocols, and could be performed by a single person without a special machine. The established assays would be useful for quality control of heparin.

Zn2+ Mediates High Affinity Binding of Heparin to the αC Domain of Fibrinogen

The nonspecific binding of heparin to plasma proteins compromises its anticoagulant activity by reducing the amount of heparin available to bind antithrombin. In addition, interaction of heparin with fibrin promotes formation of a ternary heparin-thrombin-fibrin complex that protects fibrin-bound thrombin from inhibition by the heparin-antithrombin complex. Previous studies have shown that heparin binds the E domain of fibrinogen. The current investigation examines the role of Zn(2+) in this interaction because Zn(2+) is released locally by platelets and both heparin and fibrinogen bind the cation, resulting in greater protection from inhibition by antithrombin. Zn(2+) promotes heparin binding to fibrinogen, as determined by chromatography, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance. Compared with intact fibrinogen, there is reduced heparin binding to fragment X, a clottable plasmin degradation product of fibrinogen. A monoclonal antibody directed against a portion of the fibrinogen αC domain removed by plasmin attenuates binding of heparin to fibrinogen and a peptide analog of this region binds heparin in a Zn(2+)-dependent fashion. These results indicate that the αC domain of fibrinogen harbors a Zn(2+)-dependent heparin binding site. As a consequence, heparin-catalyzed inhibition of factor Xa by antithrombin is compromised by fibrinogen to a greater extent when Zn(2+) is present. These results reveal the mechanism by which Zn(2+) augments the capacity of fibrinogen to impair the anticoagulant activity of heparin.

Structure of the Fibrillin-1 N-Terminal Domains Suggests that Heparan Sulfate Regulates the Early Stages of Microfibril Assembly

SummaryThe human extracellular matrix glycoprotein fibrillin-1 is the primary component of the 10- to 12-nm-diameter microfibrils, which perform key structural and regulatory roles in connective tissues. Relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms of fibrillin assembly into microfibrils. Studies using recombinant fibrillin fragments indicate that an interaction between the N- and C-terminal regions drives head-to-tail assembly. Here, we present the structure of a fibrillin N-terminal fragment comprising the fibrillin unique N-terminal (FUN) and the first three epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains (FUN-EGF3). Two rod-like domain pairs are separated by a short, flexible linker between the EGF1 and EGF2 domains. We also show that the binding site for the C-terminal region spans multiple domains and overlaps with a heparin interaction site. These data suggest that heparan sulfate may sequester fibrillin at the cell surface via FUN-EGF3 prior to aggregation of the C terminus, thereby regulating microfibril assembly.

Characterization of the interaction between Robo1 and heparin and other glycosaminoglycans

Roundabout 1 (Robo1) is the cognate receptor for secreted axon guidance molecule, Slits, which function to direct cellular migration during neuronal development and angiogenesis. The Slit2-Robo1 signaling is modulated by heparan sulfate, a sulfated linear polysaccharide that is abundantly expressed on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Biochemical studies have further shown that heparan sulfate binds to both Slit2 and Robo1 facilitating the ligand-receptor interaction. The structural requirements for heparan sulfate interaction with Robo1 remain unknown. In this report, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy was used to examine the interaction between Robo1 and heparin and other GAGs and determined that heparin binds to Robo1 with an affinity of ~650 nM. SPR solution competition studies with chemically modified heparins further determined that although all sulfo groups on heparin are important for the Robo1-heparin interaction, the N-sulfo and 6-O-sulfo groups are essential for the Robo1-heparin binding. Examination of differently sized heparin oligosaccharides and different GAGs also demonstrated that Robo1 prefers to bind full-length heparin chains and that GAGs with higher sulfation levels show increased Robo1 binding affinities.

Gold nanoparticle coupled with fluorophore for ultrasensitive detection of protamine and heparin

Here we report a novel label-free fluorescent sensor for ultrasensitive detection of protamine and heparin based on the high quenching ability of gold nanoparticles to the fluorescence of fluorescein. The fluorescence was significantly quenched when fluorescein molecules were attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles by electrostatic interaction. Upon addition of protamine, the fluorescein molecules were detached from the surface of the gold nanoparticles due to the stronger adsorption of protamine on the surface of AuNPs, and resulting in the recovery of the fluorescein molecules fluorescence. Heparin is able to bind with Protamine specifically. In the presence of heparin, the interaction of heparin with protamine makes the AuNPs de-aggregate and the fluorescein molecules re-attach to the AuNPs, which lead to marked fluorescence quench again. By measuring the changes in the fluorescence of the fluorescein molecules, the concentration of protamine and heparin were sequentially determined. The linear response range was obtained over the concentration range from 0 to 0.8 μg/mL and 4 to 1.6 μg/mL with the low detection limit 0.0067 μg/mL and 0.0013 μg/mL for protamine and heparin, respectively.

Cooperation of binding sites at the hydrophilic domain of cell-surface sulfatase Sulf1 allows for dynamic interaction of the enzyme with its substrate heparan sulfate

BackgroundSulf1 is a cell-surface sulfatase removing internal 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfate (HS) chains. Thereby it modulates the activity of HS-dependent growth factors. For HS interaction Sulf1 employs a unique hydrophilic domain (HD). MethodsAffinity-chromatography, AFM-single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) and immunofluorescence on living cells were used to analyze specificity, kinetics and structural basis of this interaction. ResultsFull-length Sulf1 interacts broadly with sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) showing, however, higher affinity toward HS and heparin than toward chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate. Strong interaction depends on the presence of Sulf1-substrate groups, as Sulf1 bound significantly weaker to HS after enzymatic 6-O-desulfation by Sulf1 pretreatment, hence suggesting autoregulation of Sulf1/substrate association. In contrast, HD alone exhibited outstanding specificity toward HS and did not interact with chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate or 6-O-desulfated HS. Dynamic SMFS revealed an off-rate of 0.04/s, i.e., ~500-fold higher than determined by surface plasmon resonance. SMFS allowed resolving the dynamics of single dissociation events in each force–distance curve. HD subdomain constructs revealed heparin interaction sites in the inner and C-terminal regions of HD. ConclusionsSpecific substrate binding of Sulf1 is mediated by HD and involves at least two separate HS-binding sites. Surface plasmon resonance KD-values reflect a high avidity resulting from multivalent HD/heparin interaction. While this ensures stable cell–surface HS association, the dynamic cooperation of binding sites at HD and also the catalytic domain enables processive action of Sulf1 along or across HS chains. General significanceHD confers a novel and highly dynamic mode of protein interaction with HS.

Recognition of heparan sulfate by clinical strains of dengue virus serotype 1 using recombinant subviral particles

Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease in humans, with an estimated 3.6 billion people at risk for infection and more than 200 million infections per year. Identification of the cellular receptors for dengue virus (DV), the causative agent of dengue, is important toward understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. Heparan sulfate (HS) has been characterized as a DV receptor in multiple model systems, however the physiological relevance of these findings has been questioned by observations that flaviviruses, including DV, can undergo cell culture adaptation changes resulting in increased binding to HS. It thus remains unclear whether HS is utilized by clinical, non-cell culture-adapted strains of DV. To address this question, herein we describe a set of methodologies using recombinant subviral particles (RSPs) to determine the utilization of HS by clinical strains of DV serotype 1 (DV1). RSPs of clinically isolated strains with low cell culture passage histories were used to study HS interaction. Biochemically characterized RSPs showed dose-dependent binding to immobilized heparin, which could be competed by heparin and HS but not structurally related glycosaminoglycans chondroitin sulfate A and hyaluronic acid. The relevance of heparin and HS biochemical interactions was demonstrated by competition of RSP and DV binding to cells with soluble heparin and HS. Our results demonstrate that clinical strains of DV1 can specifically interact with heparin and HS. Together, these data support the possibility that HS on cell surfaces is utilized in the DV-human infection process.

Interactions of heparin and a covalently-linked antithrombin-heparin complex with components of the fibrinolytic system

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is used as an adjunct during thrombolytic therapy. However, its use is associated with limitations, such as the inability to inhibit surface bound coagulation factors. We have developed a covalent conjugate of antithrombin (AT) and heparin (ATH) with superior anticoagulant properties compared with UFH. Advantages of ATH include enhanced inhibition of surface-bound coagulation enzymes and the ability to reduce the overall size and mass of clots in vivo. The interactions of UFH or ATH with the components of the fibrinolytic pathway are not well understood. Our study utilised discontinuous second order rate constant (k₂) assays to compare the rates of inhibition of free and fibrin-associated plasmin by AT+UFH vs ATH. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of AT+UFH and ATH on plasmin generation in the presence of fibrin. The k₂ values for inhibition of plasmin were 5.74 ± 0.28 x 10⁶ M⁻¹ min⁻¹ and 6.39 ± 0.59 x 10⁶ M⁻¹ min⁻¹ for AT+UFH and ATH, respectively. In the presence of fibrin, the k₂ values decreased to 1.45 ± 0.10 x 10⁶ M⁻¹ min⁻¹ and 3.07 ± 0.19 x 10⁶ M⁻¹ min⁻¹ for AT+UFH and ATH, respectively. Therefore, protection of plasmin by fibrin was observed for both inhibitors; however, ATH demonstrated superior inhibition of fibrin-associated plasmin. Rates of plasmin generation were also decreased by both inhibitors, with ATH causing the greatest reduction (approx. 38-fold). Nonetheless, rates of plasmin inhibition were 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than for thrombin, and in a plasma-based clot lysis assay ATH significantly inhibited clot formation but had little impact on clot lysis. Cumulatively, these data may indicate that, relative to coagulant enzymes, the fibrinolytic system is spared from inhibition by both AT+UFH and ATH, limiting reduction in fibrinolytic potential during anticoagulant therapy.

Determination of heparin based on the reaction with Co(ii)/5-Cl-PADAB complex using the resonance Rayleigh scattering technology

A scattering method is developed to determine trace amounts of heparin. Under optimal conditions, a ternary complex is formed via the interaction of anionic heparin and the cationic coordination compound [CoL]2+, which is formed between Co(II) and 4-[(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)azo]-1,3-diammobenzene (5-Cl-PADAB). As a result, new characteristic resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peaks are located at 280 nm and 550 nm, and the RRS signal is enhanced greatly. The scattering intensity at 550 nm is in proportion to the heparin concentration over the range of 0.05–1.60 μg mL−1, with the corresponding limits of determination (3σ) of 1.3 ng mL−1. The method is simple, feasible and can be successfully used to detect heparin in real samples.

Application of the ‘gate effect’ of a molecularly imprinted polymer grafted on an electrode for the real-time sensing of heparin in blood

Heparin is the most important anticoagulant drug used during surgeries and extracorporeal therapies. Although the blood levels of heparin should be monitored continuously during the procedure to ensure the safety of the patient, there is currently no technique for measuring heparin in real time. This study describes the use of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a recognition element in the development of a heparin sensor for real-time monitoring. An indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode grafted with a heparin-specific MIP was used as a working electrode to perform cyclic voltammetry of ferrocyanide. The anodic current was found to be dependent on heparin concentration, probably due to the "gate effect", which is a change in the accessibility of the MIP-modified electrode to ferrocyanide, triggered by specific interaction between MIP and heparin. The kinetics of heparin interaction with the MIP-grafted electrode was evaluated using potentiostatic chronoamperometry of ferrocyanide in an electrochemical flow cell. The response time to stepwise changes in heparin concentration between 0 and 0.04 units per mL was estimated at 20 s, which is remarkably shorter than that achieved using conventional methods for monitoring heparin. The MIP-grafted electrode demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and could detect heparin in whole blood samples (0-6 units per mL) diluted 100-fold with physiological saline containing ferrocyanide. Therefore, the MIP-grafted electrode is suitable for real-time monitoring of heparin in blood. Another advantage is that a very small volume of blood is needed, which is very important, especially when regular measurements are required.

Interactions of Heparin and a Covalently Linked Antithrombin Heparin Complex with the Components of the Fibrinolytic Pathway.

Abstract 2211 Introduction:Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is used for the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic diseases. UFH catalyzes inhibition by antithrombin (AT) of the serine proteases in the coagulation cascade. Additionally, UFH has been shown to interact with components of the fibrinolytic pathway in vitro. However UFH has several limitations which impact its utility as a therapeutic agent. Our lab has developed a novel covalent antithrombin-heparin complex (ATH) which inhibits most serine proteases of the coagulation pathway significantly faster when compared to non covalent mixtures of AT and UFH. However, the interactions of ATH with the components of the fibrinolytic pathway have not been studied before. Thus, the present study investigates possible serpin-heparin interactions of AT + UFH vs ATH within the fibrinolytic pathway. Methods:Discontinuous second order rate constant assays under pseudo-first order conditions were carried out to obtain second order rate constant (k2) values for the inhibition of plasmin by AT+UFH versus ATH. Briefly, at specific time intervals 20 nM plasmin was inhibited by 200 nM AT + 0–5000 nM UFH or by 200 nM ATH in the presence of 2.5 mM Ca2+. Reactions were neutralized by the simultaneous addition of a solution containing polybrene and plasmin substrate S-2366™ in buffer. Residual plasmin activity was measured and the final k2 values calculated. For experiments involving tPA, wells containing 40nM tPA and increasing concentrations of AT, UFH or ATH, at mole ratios ranging from 0 to 20:1, were incubated for 15 min. Reactions with tPA were neutralized by simultaneous addition of a solution containing either polybrene and tPA substrate, S-2288™ in buffer, (ATH and UFH) or only the substrate S-2288™ in buffer (AT). Enzyme activity was then determined by measuring rate of substrate cleavage (Vmax). Results:When plasmin was inhibited by AT in the absence of UFH, k2 values of 2.82×105 +/− 4.46×104 M−1 min−1 were observed. The k2 values increased with addition of successively higher concentrations of UFH up to a plateau with maximal k2 of 5.74×106 +/− 2.78×105 M−1 min−1 at a UFH concentration of 3000nM. For inhibition of plasmin by ATH, k2 values of 6.39 × 106 +/− 5.88 × 105 M−1 min−1 were observed. Inhibition of plasmin by ATH was not significantly different when compared to the highest k2 values obtained with UFH. (p=0.36) No statistically significant difference in tPA enzyme activity was observed when Vmax values for tPA alone were compared with those in the presence of AT, UFH or ATH. (p=0.932, p=0.085, p=0.31 respectively) Significance:The characteristic shape of the curve obtained from the k2vs. UFH plot suggests that the mechanism responsible for inhibition of plasmin by AT+UFH involves conformational activation of the serpin. The k2 values in this study for inhibition of plasmin by both AT+UFH and ATH were three orders of magnitude lower than k2 values for inhibition of thrombin or factor Xa. Furthermore these results suggest that tPA is not inhibited by AT + UFH or ATH, and is not influenced by the presence of UFH alone. Cumulatively, this indicates that the fibrinolytic pathway is minimally impacted by AT + UFH or ATH, allowing maximal antithrombotic potential to be achieved during anticoagulation. Overall, the favourable anticoagulant properties of ATH combined with the findings of this study strengthens the utility of the covalent conjugate over conventional UFH for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Site‐Specific Identification of an Aβ Fibril–Heparin Interaction Site by Using Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

At the surface of Aβ(1-40) amyloid fibrils that have a threefold molecular symmetry (green in the left picture) a site of interaction of the glycosaminoglycan analogue heparin (blue) was identified. The binding site consists of residues at the N terminus and the turn regions defining the apices of the triangular geometry. Heparin has a lower affinity for Aβ(1-40) fibrils having twofold molecular symmetry, thus revealing a remarkable morphological selectivity.

Site‐Specific Identification of an Aβ Fibril–Heparin Interaction Site by Using Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Site‐Specific Identification of an Aβ Fibril–Heparin Interaction Site by Using Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Heparin-binding correlates with increased efficiency of AAV1- and AAV6-mediated transduction of striated muscle, but negatively impacts CNS transduction.

Gene delivery vectors derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV) have great potential as therapeutic agents. rAAV1 and rAAV6, efficiently target striated muscle, but the mechanisms that determine their tropism remain unclear. It is known that AAV6, but not AAV1, interacts with heparin-sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). HSPGs are not primary receptors for AAV6, but heparin interactions may affect tissue tropism and transduction. To investigate these possibilities, we generated rAAV1 and rAAV6 capsids that do or do not bind heparin. We evaluated the transduction profile of these vectors in vivo across multiple routes of administration, and found that heparin-binding capability influences tissue transduction in striated muscle and neuronal tissues. Heparin-binding capsids transduce striated muscle more efficiently than non-binding capsids, via both intramuscular and intravenous injection. However, rAAV6 achieved greater muscle transduction than the heparin-binding rAAV1 variant, suggesting that there are additional factors that influence differences in transduction efficiency between AAV1 and AAV6. Interestingly, the opposite trend was found when vectors were delivered via intracranial injection. Non-binding vectors achieved robust and widespread gene expression, whereas transduction via heparin-binding serotypes was substantially reduced. These data indicate that heparin-binding capability is an important determinant of transduction that should be considered in the design of rAAV-mediated gene therapies.