The Role of Heparin in Blood
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editors
Interests: extracellular vesicles; sepsis; inflammation; extracorporeal therapies; blood–biomaterial interface; blood compatibility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: heparin; extracorporeal blood purification; sepsis; hemocompatibility; blood–biomaterial interaction; blood derived antimicrobial peptides
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In this Special Issue, “The Role of Heparin in Blood,” we explore how unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparins—long established as indispensable anticoagulants—extend their biological reach far beyond thrombin and factor Xa inhibition. Structurally, heparin can be viewed as an exogenous analogue of heparan-sulphate chains within the endothelial glycocalyx.
- Anti-inflammatory properties. By competing for cationic proteins, heparin may attenuate glycocalyx shedding, thereby preserving vascular integrity during inflammation, sepsis, or extracorporeal circulation.
- Modulating innate immunity. Heparin and its derivatives bind extracellular histones, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), host defence peptides, and complement components, mitigating their cytotoxic, antimicrobial, or pro-thrombotic effects.
- Interfering with pathogen entry. Electrostatic interaction with viral and bacterial surface proteins can block attachment to host cells, adding an antiviral/antimicrobial facet to the molecule.
- Hemocompatibility of medical devices: heparin-coated surfaces limit protein adsorption and platelet activation.
- Risks: heparin-induced thrombocytopenia exemplifies potential adverse sequelae.
This Special Issue of Biomolecules will therefore highlight original research and critical reviews that elucidate how and why heparin exerts these multifaceted effects on blood—whether protective or harmful. We particularly welcome studies that deal with molecular mechanisms, translational models, and clinical implications.
Prof. Dr. Viktoria Weber
Dr. Stephan Harm
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- heparin
- glycocalyx
- anti-inflammatory properties
- immunothrombosis
- sepsis
- inflammation
- hemocompatibility
- extracorporeal therapies
- antiviral activity
- heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
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