TY - JOUR
T1 - Heparanase neutralizes the anticoagulation properties of heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin
AU - Nasser, N. J.
AU - Sarig, G.
AU - Brenner, B.
AU - Nevo, E.
AU - Goldshmidt, O.
AU - Zcharia, E.
AU - Li, J. P.
AU - Vlodavsky, I.
PY - 2006/3
Y1 - 2006/3
N2 - Background: Heparanase is a mammalian endo-Dglucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) in the extracellular matrix and cell surface. It is preferentially expressed by cells of the immune system and tumor cells. Heparanase overexpression in experimental tumor models results in increased angiogenesis and metastasis. Heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) inhibit HS degradation by heparanase. Objective: To investigate whether heparanase cleaves heparin and LMWH, and elucidate its efect on blood coagulation. Methods: Heparin and LMWH were incubated with recombinant heparanase and subjected to measurements of molecular size (size exclusion chromatography) and anticoagulant activity (plasma APTT-activated thromboplastin time, and anti-Xa activity). APTT was also measured in plasma samples of transgenic mice overexpressing heparanase, in comparison with control mice. Results: Incubation of heparin and LMWH with heparanase resulted in degradation of these substrates, as revealed by a significant decrease in their molecular weight. This was correlated with a marked suppression of the anticoagulant activity of heparin and LMWH, as indicated by a decreased effect on APTT and anti-Xa activity, respectively, when human plasma was added. Transgenic mice overexpressing heparanase exhibited a significantly shorter APTT than control mice. Conclusion: Heparanase is capable of degrading heparin and LMWH, so that its overexpression by tumor cells may contribute to heparin resistance, commonly occurring in cancer patients. In view of the complexity of the currently available heparanase activity assays,we propose an indirect approach to quantify heparanase activity by measuring the decrease in plasma APTT or anti-Xa activity exerted by the enzyme under the defined conditions.
AB - Background: Heparanase is a mammalian endo-Dglucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) in the extracellular matrix and cell surface. It is preferentially expressed by cells of the immune system and tumor cells. Heparanase overexpression in experimental tumor models results in increased angiogenesis and metastasis. Heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) inhibit HS degradation by heparanase. Objective: To investigate whether heparanase cleaves heparin and LMWH, and elucidate its efect on blood coagulation. Methods: Heparin and LMWH were incubated with recombinant heparanase and subjected to measurements of molecular size (size exclusion chromatography) and anticoagulant activity (plasma APTT-activated thromboplastin time, and anti-Xa activity). APTT was also measured in plasma samples of transgenic mice overexpressing heparanase, in comparison with control mice. Results: Incubation of heparin and LMWH with heparanase resulted in degradation of these substrates, as revealed by a significant decrease in their molecular weight. This was correlated with a marked suppression of the anticoagulant activity of heparin and LMWH, as indicated by a decreased effect on APTT and anti-Xa activity, respectively, when human plasma was added. Transgenic mice overexpressing heparanase exhibited a significantly shorter APTT than control mice. Conclusion: Heparanase is capable of degrading heparin and LMWH, so that its overexpression by tumor cells may contribute to heparin resistance, commonly occurring in cancer patients. In view of the complexity of the currently available heparanase activity assays,we propose an indirect approach to quantify heparanase activity by measuring the decrease in plasma APTT or anti-Xa activity exerted by the enzyme under the defined conditions.
KW - Cancer progression
KW - Coagulation
KW - Heparanase
KW - Heparin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645983628&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.01792.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.01792.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 16460439
AN - SCOPUS:33645983628
SN - 1538-7933
VL - 4
SP - 560
EP - 565
JO - Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
JF - Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis
IS - 3
ER -