Potential roles of vessel wall heparan sulfate proteoglycans in atherosclerosis.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are present in several compartments and cell types in blood vessels. Their expression, as well as the activity of their degrading enzyme heparanase, are strongly regulated, with changes in gene expression, protein levels, and activity in response to environmental and metabolic stresses, including diabetes. HSPGs likely play an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Many functions of HSPGs, such as the promotion of monocyte adhesion, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) binding, are determined by interactions between cells and specific regions of the HSPG core proteins. Here we review the role of HSPGs expressed in vascular wall in atherosclerotic vascular disease.
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