Editorial: Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans and Their Endogenous Modifying Enzymes: Cancer Players, Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

摘要

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are glycoproteins ubiquitously expressed at the cell surfaceand in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The coordinated action of several heparan sulfate (HS)biosynthetic(e.g.,sulfo-transferases)andmodifyingenzymes(e.g.,heparanase,sulfatases)providesthese molecules with a marked structural diversity and a peculiar ability to interact with a plethoraof biomolecules through HS chains. Dysregulation of HSPGs has been associated with tumorpathogenesis and progression. Moreover, altered expression or deregulated function of HSPGbiosynthetic/modifying enzymes has been implicated in key processes including proliferation,angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Exploitation of the broad potential of HSPGs andrelated enzymes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets requires in-depth understanding of thecontext-dependent and, in some cases, contradictory roles of these molecules in tumors andtheir microenvironment. This aspect is highlighted by authors in the present Research Topicwhere mechanistic insights into the multifunctional roles of HSPGs and related enzymes incancer and immune regulation are provided with a focus on cell signaling, structural issues, andtherapeutic implications.