Membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan-supported FGF2-FGFR1 signaling - Evidence in support of the cooperative end structures model

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-initiated FGF receptor (FGFR)-signaling requires the assistance of heparin/heparan sulfate. Here, we evaluated the effects of different heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-expressing cell lines and HSPGs derived from these cells on FGF2-induced FGFR1-phosphorylation in heparan sulfate-negative BaF3 cells. HSPGs supplied in membrane-associated form, by presenting cells, were all effective promotors of FGF2-initiated FGFR1 phosphorylation, independently of their nature (syndecan/glypican) or cellular origin (human lung fibroblasts, transfected Namalwa cells, or transfected K562 cells). A treatment with heparitinase initially stimulated, but finally completely inhibited, the activity of these presenting cells. In comparison, equivalent amounts of soluble HSPGs, obtained by trypsinization of these cells or by immunopurification from cell extracts, did not promote FGF2-induced FGFR1-phosphorylation, yet removal of the less anionic species or a further treatment with heparitinase converted these soluble fractions into potent activators of FGF2/FGFR1 signaling. Extrapolating from current structural models, we suggest that FGFR dimerization and autophosphorylation is supported by cooperative heparin-like end structures, and that cell surface association and concentration compensate for the relative scarcity of such end structures in native HSPGs. In this model, proteolytic shedding of heparan sulfate would act as a diluting, down-regulatory mechanism, while heparanolytic shedding might act as an up-regulatory mechanism, by increasing the concentration of these end structures.