heparitin-sulfate and Infections

Heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans are long, linear polysaccharides that are made up of alternating dissacharide sequences of sulfated uronic acid and amino sugars. Unlike heparin, which is only found in mast cells, heparan sulfate is ubiquitously expressed on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix of all animal cells. These negatively-charged glycans play essential roles in important cellular functions such as cell growth, adhesion, angiogenesis, and blood coagulation. These biomolecules are also involved in pathophysiological conditions such as pathogen infection and human disease. This review discusses past and current methods for targeting these complex biomolecules as a novel therapeutic strategy to treating disorders such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infection.

Topics: Animals; Glycosaminoglycans; Heparin; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Infections; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Small Molecule Libraries

There is little information about MPS I-related complications during laronidase therapy. We describe the first autopsy report of a young male MPS I patient who died of infection-induced cardiopulmonary failure following 2 years of weekly treatment with laronidase.

Topics: Adult; Autopsy; Fatal Outcome; Glycosaminoglycans; Heart Failure; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Iduronidase; Infections; Male; Mucopolysaccharidosis I; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Recombinant Proteins