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Thromb Haemost 1994; 72(05): 770-776
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648956
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Heparin Enhances Endothelial Cell von Willebrand Factor Content by Growth Factor Dependent Mechanisms

Susan H Tannenbaum
The Hematology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
,
Elizabeth S Chao
The Hematology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
,
Harvey R Gralnick
The Hematology Service, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 March 1994

Accepted after resubmission 01 August 1994

Publication Date:
06 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Von Willebrand factor (vWf), a multimeric adhesive glycoprotein synthesized, stored, and secreted in megakaryocytes and endothelial cells, is normally found in plasma, platelets and subendothelium. While many substances mediate the release of vWf from endothelial cells, factors that enhance vWf synthesis and partitioning to its regulated pathway are currently unknown. We studied the effect of pharmacologic doses of heparin on the vWf content of endothelial cells. After a lag of 8 h and in the presence of crude or purified growth factor, heparin at doses between 0.25 and 2 U (1.4-11 μg)/ml, increased the content of high moleculr weight vWf. The increased amounts of vWf were localized to Weibel-Palade bodies and extracellular matrix. Lower molecular weight highly sulfated heparin or heparin-like compounds were most active in growth factor dependent endothelial cell vWf expression. There was no clear importance of polysaccharide sequence or protein core.