Heparanase is a heparan sulfate degrading endoglycosidase participating in extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling. Heparanase is synthesized as a 65 kDa non-active precursor that subsequently undergoes proteolytic cleavage, yielding 8 kDa and 50 kDa protein subunits that heterodimerize to form an active enzyme. The protease responsible for heparanase processing is currently unknown, as is the sub-cellular processing site. In this study, we characterize an antibody (733) that preferentially recognizes the active 50 kDa heparanase form as compared to the non-active 65 kDa heparanase precursor. We have utilized this and other anti-heparanase antibodies to study the cellular localization of the latent 65 kDa and active 50 kDa heparanase forms during uptake and processing of exogenously added heparanase. Interestingly, not only the processed 50 kDa, but also the 65 kDa heparanase precursor was localized to perinuclear vesicles, suggesting that heparanase processing occurs in lysosomes. Indeed, heparanase processing was completely inhibited by chloroquine and bafilomycin A1, inhibitors of lysosome proteases. Similarly, processing of membrane-targeted heparanase was also chloroquine-sensitive, further ruling out the plasma membrane as the heparanase processing site. Finally, we provide evidence that antibody 733 partially neutralizes the enzymatic activity of heparanase, suggesting that the N-terminal region of the molecule is involved in assuming an active conformation. Monoclonal antibodies directed to this region are likely to provide specific heparanase inhibitors and hence assist in resolving heparanase functions under normal and pathological conditions.

Heparanase is a mammalian endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate (HS) at specific intrachain sites, an activity that is strongly implicated in cell dissemination associated with metastasis and inflammation. In addition to its structural role in extracellular matrix assembly and integrity, HS sequesters a multitude of polypeptides that reside in the extracellular matrix as a reservoir. A variety of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes can be released by heparanase activity and profoundly affect cell and tissue function. Thus, heparanase bioavailability, accessibility, and activity should be kept tightly regulated. We provide evidence that HS is not only a substrate for, but also a regulator of, heparanase. Addition of heparin or xylosides to cell cultures resulted in a pronounced accumulation of, heparanase in the culture medium, whereas sodium chlorate had no such effect. Moreover, cellular uptake of heparanase was markedly reduced in HS-deficient CHO-745 mutant cells, heparan sulfate proteoglycan-deficient HT-29 colon cancer cells, and heparinasetreated cells. We also studied the heparanase biosynthetic route and found that the half-life of the active enzyme is ϳ30 h. This and previous localization studies suggest that heparanase resides in the endosomal/lysosomal compartment for a relatively long period of time and is likely to play a role in the normal turnover of HS. Co-localization studies and cell fractionation following heparanase addition have identified syndecan family members as candidate molecules responsible for heparanase uptake, providing an efficient mechanism that limits extracellular accumulation and function of heparanase.

Heparanase is a mammalian endo-b-D-glucuronidase that cleaves heparan sulfate side chains at a limited number of sites. Such enzymatic activity is thought to participate in degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix and to facilitate cell invasion associated with tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and inflammation. Traditionally, heparanase activity was well correlated with the metastatic potential of a large number of tumor-derived cell types. More recently, heparanase upregulation has been documented in an increasing number of primary human tumors, correlating with poor postoperative survival and increased tumor vascularity. Here, we employed antiheparanase 733 polyclonal antibody that preferentially recognizes the 50 kDa active heparanase subunit over the 65 kDa proenzyme, as well as anti-heparanase 92.4 monoclonal antibody that recognizes both the latent and the active enzyme, to follow heparanase expression, processing and localization throughout the adenoma-carcinoma transition of the colon epithelium. Normal (nondysplastic) mucosa of the large bowel near epithelial neoplasms, as well as areas of mild dysplasia in adenomas, exhibited a strong reactivity with antibody 733 that became even stronger in foci of moderate dysplasia. Interestingly, although reactivity with antibody 733 was markedly reduced in severe dysplasia and in colorectal carcinoma, response to antibody 92.4 exhibited the opposite trend and staining intensities increased in parallel with tumor stage, the highest being in carcinoma cells. Involvement of latent heparanase (detected by 92.4, but not by 733 antibody) in tumor progression was suggested by activation of the Akt/PKB signal transduction pathway upon heparanase overexpression or exogenous addition to HT29 human colon carcinoma cells. These results suggest that heparanase expression is induced during colon carcinogenesis, and that its processing, conformation and localization are tightly regulated during the course of colon adenoma-carcinoma progression. Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that specifically cleaves heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. 1,2 Heparan sulfate proteoglycans consist of a protein core to which several heparan sulfate side chains are covalently attached. These complex macromolecules are highly abundant in the extracellular matrix and are thought to play an important structural role, contributing to extracellular matrix integrity and insolubility. 3 In addition, heparan sulfate side chains can bind to a variety of biological mediators such as growth factors, cytokines and chemokines, 4,5 thus functioning as a readily available reservoir that can be liberated upon local or systemic cues. Moreover, heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the cell surface participates directly in signal-transduction cascades by potentiating the interaction between certain growth factors and their receptors. 6-9 Heparan sulfate-degrading activity is thus expected to affect several fundamental aspects of cell behavior under normal and clinical settings. 1,2 Tr...

STUDY QUESTION Does progestin have an effect on heparanase level and procoagulant activity? SUMMARY ANSWER Progestin increases the heparanase level and procoagulant activity via the estrogen receptor and the magnitude of the effect depends on the progestin type. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing third- and fourth-generation progestins have a higher risk of venous thrombosis compared to those employing second-generation progestins. Heparanase protein is capable of degrading heparan sulfate (HS) chains and enhancing activation of the coagulation system. We have previously demonstrated that estrogen enhances the expression and procoagulant activity of heparanase. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Estrogen and progestin receptor positive breast carcinoma cell lines: EMT6, T47D and MCF-7 were compared to the MDA-231 breast carcinoma cell line devoid of these receptors. This observational study incorporated 45 users of third-generation COCs progestins, 21 users of fourth-generation COCs progestins and 28 individuals not using hormonal therapy and not pregnant per history. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Second-generation progestin—levonorgestrel, third-generation progestin—desogastrel (DSG), an estrogen receptor antagonist—ICI 182.780 and a progestin receptor antagonist—mifepristone, were added to cell lines. Heparanase level and procoagulant activity, HS levels, tissue factor (TF) activity and factor Xa levels were evaluated in the plasma of the study group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Levonorgestrel and DSG increased heparanase levels in the cells and medium. The effect of DSG was more prominent and additive to that of estrogen. The effect was inhibited by ICI 182.780. In the plasma of COC users, heparanase procoagulant activity, HS levels, TF activity and factor Xa levels were significantly higher compared to controls. In COC pills containing the same dose of estrogen, the procoagulant effect of drospirenone was significantly stronger than that of DSG and gestodene. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The limitations of the study include a small number of participants in each study group, although the results are statistically significant and evaluated by several different coagulation parameters. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The study demonstrates a new mechanism through which progestin affects coagulation system activation and shows that this effect is progestin type-dependent. Development of a progestin derivative with an attenuated effect on heparanase procoagulant activity may reduce thrombotic risk. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was sought for this study. Y.N. is named in a European patent application No. IL201200027 filed on 18 January 2012. Other authors have no conflict of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

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Background and objectives. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a potent direct inhibitor of factor Xa and factor VIIa-tissue factor complex. In addition, TFPI was shown to be an inhibitor of angiogenesis and metastasis. Heparanase is an endo-beta-D-glucuronidase of 65 kDa that cleaves heparan sulfate chains on cell surfaces and in the extra-cellular matrix an activity that closely correlates with cell invasion, angiogenesis and tumor growth. The study hypothesis was that heparanase may reduce the level of TFPI or release it from the cell surface in an attempt to increase heparanase prometastatic potential. Material and methods. The effect of exogenous heparanase on TFPI expression and release to the medium was studied in HUVEC by immunoblotting, real time RT-PCR, and flow-cytometry. Human cell lines (MDA-MB-435 breast carcinoma; U87 glioma; HEK-293 embryonic kidney) were transfected to over express heparanase and the effect on TFPI was studied. TFPI expression was explored in heparanase transgenic mice by immunoblotting and immunostaining. Transfections with various modified forms of heparanase were used to further explore the effect of heparanase. Interaction between TFPI and heparanase was studied by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Results. Heparanase was found to increase the release of TFPI to the medium, reduce the level of TFPI at the cell surface, and to up-regulate its expression in the cells. These results were verified in HUVEC, tumor cell lines, and in the animal model. The effect was independent of heparanase activity or interaction with heparan sulfate, and dependent on heparanase secretion. A protein co-interaction between TFPI and heparanase was found. Conclusions. Overall, a cell surface interaction is suggested in which heparanase impose increased release of TFPI from the cell surface to the medium, providing a local procoagulant and a systemic anticoagulant environment.

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