Heparin Strongly Induces Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 (sFlt1) Release in vivo and in vitro

Background: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) is involved in preeclampsia and coro- nary artery disease, which share endothelial dysfunction in common. Since sFlt1 has a major heparin-binding site, we aimed to prove that sFlt1, which is “stored” by heparan sulphate proteoglycans on the cell surface and/or in the extracellular matrix, is released upon heparin administration due to a competitive mechanism. Methods: We measured sFlt1 in serial plasma samples taken at 4 time points, before and af- ter heparin administration from 135 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography (CA). We also tested our…