Heparin and other sulfated polyanions: their interaction with the blood platelet.

Heparin is a heterogeneous mixture of partially sulfated polysaccharide chains. Different subfractions of heparin have been found to interact with platelets to different degrees, which do not parallel the anticoagulant activity of the preparation.] There is some suggestion that the low antithrombin I11 atfinity of a subfraction results in more potent platelet interaction. It is, however, extremely difficult to relate function to molecular structure when heterogeneity of molecular species exists. A logical approach is to work with more homogeneous model compounds (sulfated polyanions) in order to understand the molecular features involved in the functions observed and is the basis for the following report.