Regulation of heparanase by albumin and advanced glycation end products in proximal tubular cells

► Albumin and AGE, but not high glucose levels, increase heparanase expression in tubular cells. ► Heparanase up-regulation is mediated by PI3K/AKT pathway. ► Heparanase reduces heparan sulfate via its endoglycosidase activity. ► Heparanase reduces heparan sulfate throw the gene expression regulation of syndecan-1.