Heparin and Derivatives for Advanced Cell Therapies

Heparin and its derivatives are widely used to prevent and treat blood clots. While their anticoagulant effects are well-known, their impact on cell behavior and potential side effects are still being investigated. Heparins are now being explored in regenerative medicine for cell-based therapies and as components of functionalized matrices in biotechnology. The renewed interest in heparins stems from their potential to combat COVID-19 through a combination of anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-viral actions. This review summarizes key information on heparins and their impact on cell therapeutics, emphasizing the importance of differentiating between different types of heparins. Heparins can act as modulators of key processes during cell adhesion, migration, communication, proliferation and differentiation in vitro and in vivo. The application of cell-based therapeutics often demands the in vitro use of UFH to support proliferation and/or differentiation of certain cell types.

• 1
  UFH, LMWH, and synthetic pentasaccharides are used to prevent and cure thromboembolic events, but UFH is also a modulator of cell adhesion, migration, communication, proliferation, and differentiation.
• 2
  UFH is used in vitro to support cell proliferation and differentiation and is increasingly added to HPL-based cell cultures. It is also beneficial in vivo to prevent IBMIR and thromboembolic complications after transfusion of tissue factor-expressing stromal cells.
• 3
  Heparins interact with bioactive molecules, leading to local concentration and conformational changes of proteins, affecting their target affinity and specificity. Understanding these interactions is crucial for designing cell-based therapies, especially considering the bleeding risk associated with UFH.