Glicosaminoglicanos en hemostasia: Acción del dermatán sulfato sobre el sistema fibrinolítico

dermatan sulfate (ds) is well-known for its anticoagulant activity by binding to heparin cofactor ii in order to enhance the antithrombin action. it has also been suggested that ds has a profibrinolytic effect, although the exact molecular mechanism is unknown. this review exposes the results obtained and discusses on the available literature on ds effect on the fibrynolytic system. ds exhibited a stimulating effect on the activation of plasminogen by plasminogen activators (t-pa and u-pa), by in vitro amidolytic and coagulometric methods, showing a pro-fibrinolytic effect independent of its known anticoagulant action. studies of fibrin networks obtained in the presence of ds showed longer and thinner fibers than controls, increased degree of compaction and lisability. thus, ds displayed a pro-fibrinolytic effect associated to its anticoagulant action. these results contribute to clarify the mechanism of ds action on the plasminogen-plasmin system and to the understanding of the physiologic role of this glycosaminoglycan.