Heparin binding proteins on monocyte cell surfaces regulates pre-inflammatory responses in diabetes

Many diabetic complications, such as renal and cardiovascular disease, share a common association with extensive and chronic inflammation due to infiltration by activated leukocytes that originate from the bone marrow (BM). Our previous study demonstrated that macrophage progenitor cells that divided in hyperglycemia induced intracellular synthesis of hyaluronan and became pro-inflammatory macrophages (Mpi), and that the presence of low concentrations of heparin (~50 nM) prevented the intracellular HA synthesis and promoted the formation of tissue repair macrophages (Mtr). However, the molecular mechanism underlying heparin’s role is still unknown. This study showed that heparin can be internalized by dividing monocyte progenitor cells. Further, there are two most abundant heparin binding proteins, alpha-enolase (ENO-1) and cofilin-1, identified on monocyte cell surfaces. In addition to their conventional roles inside of cells, ENO-1 and cofilin-1 can be found on cell surfaces and are also involved in autoimmune diseases. Thus, this study provides new insight into heparin’s role in regulating monocyte and macrophage function.