Chemistry and biology of heparin mimetics that bind to fibroblast growth factors.

We aim from this review to stimulate further research in this area by providing a description of the different types of inhibitors containing heparin mimetic molecules that have recently been reported and data on their biological activity. Molecules that mimic heparin and bind to heparin-binding growth factors are important building blocks for synthetic biomaterials. Different types of synthetic mimics of the biological properties of heparin have been prepared inclu-ding high molecular weight compounds or small molecule mimics. Peptide-based mimics of heparin functionality are limited and because of their low degree of sulfation, they are natural targets as heparin mimics. Aromatic sulfonamide derivatives exhibit a range of bioactivities and a novel angiogenesis inhibitor (E 7820) is used as a TF model for screening assay. The anticoagulant activity of the known heparin pentasaccharide sequence prompted synthetic efforts aimed at the procurement of this structure as well as a host of related sequences. Chemical modification of the natural or synthetic heparin increased factor activation of AT III Xa affinity. A variety of non-peptide non-saccharides inhibitors as anti-angiogenesis therapies directed against the VEGFR kinase are a promising and well-validated therapeutic approach under active evaluation of their safety and efficacy in multiple clinical trials. These low molecular weight modulators could be useful tools for biologists and may have potential as drugs or as leads for drug development.