Heparinoids and cellular interactions in the vascular system

SummaryHeparin and related polysaccharides have long been used for therapautic intervention in different disease states related to thromboembolic complications. The localization and functional availability of heparin-like components in the body is mostly confined to cell surfaces and extracellular matrix/basement membranes. Their strategic position particularly in the vascular system enables heparinoids linked to various core proteins (designated as heparan sulfate proteoglycans) to interact with a variety of heparin-binding proteins such as apolipoproteins, lipases, proteases and protease inhibitors, matrix pro…