Heparin receptors on mouse macrophages

This study deals with the nature of the attachment between the macrophage cell membrane and heparin molecules. Treatments intended to remove or internalise macrophage receptors (trypsinisation and stimulation of phagocytosis respectively) were shown to considerably modulate the attachment of heparin. An excess of heparin fractions ranging in mean molecular weight from 8100 to 25700 all inhibited attachment of 35S heparin as did a mixed isomer chondroitin sulphate preparation. Our study provides evidence for the presence of receptors for sulphated glycosaminoglycans on the mouse macrophage cell membrane.