Summary
The liver produces dermatan sulfate (DS), heparan sulfate (HS) and heparin glycosaminoglycans
(GAG) and in the presence of hepatic disease, tissue levels of the DS GAG increase
dramatically. We hypothesized that in children undergoing liver transplantation plasma
levels of DS would be increased. Plasma from children undergoing liver transplantation
were tested preoperative, intra operative and post operative at 24-48 h, and 1-3 weeks.
Fluctuating levels of DS, HS and heparin anticoagulant activity were detected at all
timepoints. The anticoagulant activity was purified and gel chromatography of the
material displayed a mean Mr 110,000 D. Reductive elimination decreased the mean Mr
24,000 D indicating the activity resides on a proteoglycan (PG). The purified material
was subjected to further chromatography and two peaks of anticoagulant activity resolved,
compatible with at least two separate PGs, one with DS GAG chains and the additional
PG(s) with HS and heparin GAG chains.