Heparin, Heparan Sulphate, and Sepsis: Possible Novel Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Sepsis is a potentially fatal overreaction to an infection in which the host's tissues and organs are damaged by an
overabundance of inflammation and immunological response. One of the main components of the cell surface glycocalyx is the
glycosaminoglycanheparan sulphate (HS).Cell surface HS is a target for the pro-inflammatory enzyme heparanase and controls a
number of sepsis pathways, including neutrophil recruitment and pathogen interactions with the host cell. A close structural cousin of
HS, heparin is a potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic used in medicine.Numerous studies have shown that heparin, which has a
significant negative charge and structural similarities to HS, might affect how sepsis-related events develop. Heparin's anticoagulant
action, however, restricts its ability to treat inflammatory disorders by increasing the risk of bleeding and other unfavourable side
effects.Heparin derivatives and mimetic compounds with decreased anticoagulant action have been developed since the anticoagulant
potency of heparin is mostly governed by a single well-defined structural characteristic. In the case of sepsis, such heparin mimics
may be useful as therapeutic medicines.