Heparan sulfate biological effects

Heparin has been in clinical use for decades, to prevent and cure thromboembolic disease. It is only relatively recently that the molecular mechanisms behind the anticoagulant/antithrombotic effects were elucidated. A previous article on the subject in this series highlighted some major advances in our understanding of these mechanisms, in particular regarding the role of antithrombin (AT) and its interaction with the polysaccharide. These relations can now be explained in molecular detail. A most important development of recent years has been the growing awareness of the ubiquitous distribution, stmctural diversity, and biological importance of heparan sulfate (HS). Formerly by and large an unwanted by-product... 

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