Degradation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans enhances oxidized-LDL-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in human endothelial cells

► Ox-LDL degrades HSPG, and induces apoptosis and autophagy in endothelial cells. ► Heparinase III degrades HSPG, and induces modest apoptosis and autophagy. ► Effects of ox-LDL are LOX-1 dependent, but the effects of heparinase II are LOX-1-independent. ► Heparinase III enhances the atherogenic phenotype of endothelial cells in response to ox-LDL.