Heparin is required for the formation of granules in connective tissue mast cells.

ABSTRACT: Mast cells are innate immune cells strategically positioned around blood vessels near body surfaces. Their primary weapons are bioactive amines, mast cell-specific proteases, and cytokines stored in preformed granules. Mast cells granules constituents are packaged efficiently with the help of the highly negatively charged Heparan sulfate-derivative, Heparin. Heparin is one of the most widely used drugs to treat coagulation disorders, yet, it is not found in the circulation at a steady state, casting doubt that the prevention of blood clotting is its physiological function. Early studies using Ndst2 ^-/- mice have shown that Heparin is essential for mast cells granules formation. However, these mice could still produce less sulfated Heparan sulfate that could potentially re

SUBMITTER: Herrera-Heredia SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9682282 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature