I see it added to some formulations, but when I search around online for what it does I don't see clear answers! I also see conflicting information on whether it's good or bad for endothelial cells.
Hello John Yn
Factors such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), regulate the initiation of angiogenesis. VEGF is a significant signaling protein of various cascades which is mainly involved in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.
VEGF and FGF is regulated by heparin, a natural glycosaminoglycan, found on cell surfaces and in extra cellular matrix of nearly all cells. Balance between diffusion and retention of VEGF is also maintained by heparin.
Heparin contains negatively charged specific motifs on its side chain that can bind specific proteins, growth factors, and regulate their diffusion. Therefore, addition of heparin to the endothelial cell culture media helps in creating a better environment for VEGF as well as for FGF binding.
Your concern about whether heparin is good or bad on endothelial cells is right. It all depends on the type of heparin you use in the growth media. Also, the effect of heparin is dose dependent. You need to add the right concentration in the media. Your doubts will be further clarified if you go through the research article attached below.
https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(20)79263-X/fulltext
Hope this will help!
Best.
As mentioned, seminal growth factors necessary to growth endothelial cells are heparin binding factors and need heparin for their best performance and to be retained in the nearby matrix. For this reason, I recommend regular heparin not low molecular weight heparins used in the clinics
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