title: Heparin induces endothelial extracellular matrix alterations and barrier dysfunction.
abstract: We investigated the influence of heparin on the composition of the subendothelial matrix and on endothelial permeability to elucidate the structure-function relationship of matrix composition and permeability. Albumin flux across the confluent endothelial monolayers was used to assess the macromolecular permeability. Lowest values were obtained when 100% serum was used as medium for permeability studies. The endothelial matrix components, fibronectin and basement membrane-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Treatment of proliferating endothelial cells with heparin (0-900 micrograms/ml) induced a dose-dependent decrease in endothelial HSPG content, whereas the fibronectin content was unaltered. This structural change was accompanied by an increase in albumin permeability. Both heparin effects exhibited similar dose-response curves with half-maximal effects at approximately 5 micrograms/ml heparin. Acute addition of 300 micrograms/ml heparin had no effect on permeability or HSPG content. When endothelial cells were preincubated with an HSPG antiserum, the endothelial permeability increased nearly threefold. Our results indicate that heparin-induced loss of HSPG may cause the increase in endothelial permeability. The data underline the importance of HSPG for the integrity of the endothelial barrier.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Diabetes Research, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Guretzki
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schleicher
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Gerbitz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olgemöller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D006493:Heparin; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D011509:Proteoglycans