CIRCULATING DERMATAN SULFATE AND HEPARAN-SULFATE HEPARIN PROTEOGLYCANS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

The liver produces dermatan sulfate (DS), heparan sulfate (HS) and hep arin glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and in the presence of hepatic disease, tissue levels of the DS GAG increase dramatically. We hypothesized tha t in children undergoing liver transplantation plasma levels of DS wou ld be increased. Plasma from children undergoing liver transplantation were tested preoperative, intra operative and post operative at 24-48 h, and 1-3 weeks. Fluctuating levels of DS. HS and heparin anticoagul ant activity were detected at all timepoints. The anti coagulant activ ity was purified and gel chromatography of the material displayed a me an Mr 110,000 D. Reductive elimination decreased the mean Mr 24,000 D indicating the activity resides on a proteoglycan (PG). The purified m aterial was subjected to further chromatography and two peaks of antic oagulant activity resolved, compatible with at least two separate PGs, one with DS GAG chains and the additional PG(s) with HS and heparin G AG chains.