Eosinophil major basic protein: first identified natural heparanase-inhibiting protein

BACKGROUND: Heparanase and eosinophils are involved in several diseases, including inflammation, cancer, and angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether eosinophils produce active heparanase. METHODS: Human peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated by immunoselection and tested for heparanase protein (immunocytochemistry, Western blot), mRNA (RT-PCR) and activity (Na(2)[(35)S]O(4)-labeled extracellular matrix degradation) before and after activation. Heparanase intracellular localization (confocal laser microscopy) and ability to bind to eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) were also evaluated (immunoprecipitation). A model of allergic peritonitis resulting in eosinophilia was induced in TNF knockout and wild-type mice for in vivo studies. RESULTS: Eosinophils synthesized heparanase mRNA and contained heparanase in the active (50-kd) and latent (65-kd) forms. Heparanase partially co-localized with and was bound to MBP. No heparanase enzymatic activity was detected in eosinophils resting or activated with various agonists, including GM-CSF/C5a. Eosinophil lysates and MBP inhibited recombinant heparanase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (100%, 2 x 10(-7) mol/L). Eosinophil peroxidase and eosinophil cationic protein, but not myelin basic protein or compound 48/80, partially inhibited heparanase activity. Poly-l-arginine at very high concentrations caused an almost complete inhibition. In allergic peritonitis, heparanase activity in the peritoneal fluid inversely correlated with eosinophil number. CONCLUSIONS: MBP is the first identified natural heparanase-inhibiting protein. Its presence in the eosinophil granules might indicate a protective function of these cells in diseases associated with inflammation and cancer progression.