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Characterization of the interaction between platelet factor 4 and homogeneous synthetic low molecular weight heparins
Author(s) -
Nguyen ThiHuong,
Xu Yongmei,
Brandt Sven,
Mandelkow Martin,
Raschke Ricarda,
Strobel Ulrike,
Delcea Mihaela,
Zhou Wen,
Liu Jian,
Greinacher Andreas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of thrombosis and haemostasis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 178
eISSN - 1538-7836
pISSN - 1538-7933
DOI - 10.1111/jth.14657
Subject(s) - heparin , platelet factor 4 , chemistry , isothermal titration calorimetry , heparin induced thrombocytopenia , antithrombin , platelet , anticoagulant , low molecular weight heparin , biochemistry , pharmacology , immunology , medicine
Abstract Background Heparins are usually produced from animal tissues. It is now possible to synthesize heparins. This provides the abilities to overcome shortages of heparin, to optimize biological effects, and to reduce adverse drug effects. Heparins interact with platelet factor 4 (PF4), which can induce an immune response causing thrombocytopenia. This side effect is called heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We characterized the interaction of PF4 and HIT antibodies with oligosaccharides of 6‐, 8‐, 10‐, and 12‐mer size and a hypersulfated 12‐mer (S12‐mer). Methods We utilized multiple methodologies including isothermal calorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA), and platelet aggregation test to characterize the interaction of synthetic heparin analogs with PF4 and anti‐PF4/heparin antibodies. Results The synthetic heparin‐like compounds display stronger binding characteristics to PF4 than animal‐derived heparins of corresponding lengths. Upon complexation with PF4, 6‐mer and S12‐mer heparins showed much lower enthalpy, induced less conformational changes in PF4, and interacted with weaker forces than 8‐, 10‐, and 12‐mer heparins. Anti‐PF4/heparin antibodies bind more weakly to complexes formed between PF4 and heparins ≤ 8‐mer than with complexes formed between PF4 and heparins ≥ 10‐mer. Addition of one sulfate group to the 12‐mer resulted in a S12‐mer, which showed substantial changes in its binding characteristics to PF4. Conclusions We provide a template for characterizing interactions of newly developed heparin‐based anticoagulant drugs with proteins, especially PF4 and the resulting potential antigenicity.