 Heparanase II, HPSE-2, a structural homologue of Heparanase I, HPSE-1, is a promising candidate for treating glomerular diseases due to its lack of enzymatic activity. Inflammation and diabetes can cause down-regulation of HPSE-2 expression, which is reversed when HPSE-1 is inhibited or when HPSE-2 is administered. This suggests that HPSE-2 may have a protective role in glomerular diseases. Furthermore, HPSE-2 protein and a mixture of three most potent HPSE-1 inhibitory HPSE-2 peptides were able to prevent LPS and streptozodicin-induced kidney injury. These findings suggest that HPSE-2 may be a promising therapeutic agent for treating glomerular diseases. This article was authored by Barranca Bidgers, Marjaleen Garson, Mark DeGraw, and others.