Binding of heparin and low molecular weight heparin fragments to human vascular endothelial cells in culture
Bârzu, T.; Molho, P.; Tobelem, G.; Petitou, M.; Caen, J.P.
Nouvelle Revue Francaise d'Hematologie 26(4): 243-247
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-4810 PMID: 6473094 Document Number: 229904
The interaction of standard heparin and some low molecular weight heparin fragments (CY 222, mw 1,500-8,000 daltons) with human vascular endothelium in culture was studied using both 125I and 3H labeled ligands. A specific and saturable binding was shown for both labeled standard heparins. Two populations of binding sites for 3H-standard heparin could be distinguished: one of high affinity (KD = 0.12 microM), and another of lower affinity (KD = 1.37 microM). Total binding capacity was in the order of 10(7) molecules per cell. The same high level of affinity was calculated for unlabeled compounds from competition experiments with 125I-standard heparin. No other glycosaminoglycans, except a highly sulfated heparan (fraction IIA) could compete for heparin binding sites. A specific binding was also shown for 125I-CY 222. The affinity of unlabeled CY 222 was approximately ten times lower than that of unfractionated heparin. However, CY 222 could compete for approximatively 30% of standard heparin binding. Binding was not completely reversible. Even in the presence of a large excess of unlabeled compounds, a fraction of 25% of radioactive heparins remained bound to the endothelium. This fraction was three times lower if incubation was carried out at +4 degrees C, suggesting a possible incorporation of heparin into the endothelial cells.