Identification of novel inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) binding to heparin and endothelial cell survival from a structurally diverse carbohybrid library

Inhibitors of FGF-2 binding to a heparin–albumin conjugate were identified by ELISA from a library of glucuronic acid derivatives. These compounds were also inhibitors of endothelial cell survival that is dependant on FGF-2 and heparin or heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The results indicate that these bioactive compounds may prove useful as lead structures for the further development of pharmaceutical agents capable of modulating biological activity of FGF-2.