Increased heparin binding in cystic fibrosis: a reflection of altered glycoprotein biosynthesis?.

Some of the serum proteins which bind to heparin and contribute to 
the pH 5.57 "heparin binding capacity" of human serum are glycoproteins; 
those from cystic fibrosis serum were found to be 27% higher 
in fucose (methylpentose) content, 27% lower in sialic acid content, and 
31% lower in hexose content when compared to heparin- precipitated serum 
glycoproteins from normal control subjects. Hexosamine content of the heparin-precipitated serum 
glycoproteins was the same. Results of this preliminary investigation indicate that 
altered carbohydrate composition in serum glycoproteins may affect significantly their heparin 
binding capacity. 