Pericellular heparans may contribute to the protection of cells from free radicals.
The variation of fine structure and quantity of heparans at cell surfaces could endow cells of different tissues, and in different growth states, with varying degrees of competence in reacting to extracellular free radicals known to be associated with neoplasia.
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006493:Heparin; D006497:Heparan Sulfate