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Does the conformation of adsorbed fibrinogen dictate platelet interactions with artificial surfaces?

Platelet activation by polymer surfaces is thought to require preliminary adsorption of fibrinogen and perhaps changes in fibrinogen conformation. We measured fibrinogen adsorption by a series of polymers by two methods, using either 125I-labeled fibrinogen or 125I-labeled antifibrinogen antibodies, and correlated the results with platelet reactivity (retention and secretion) in columns of beads coated with the polymers. For polyalkyl methacrylates with 1 to 4 carbon side chains, platelet reactivity varied directly with increasing length of the alkyl side chain and with the quantity of bound fibrinogen recognizable by antifibrinogen antibody but not with the total quantity of fibrinogen adsorbed. The same pattern of results was seen with five antibody preparations, including affinity-purified Fab fragments against the D or E domain of fibrinogen. Tests of platelet retention and fibrinogen binding to four polyalkyl acrylates and to three unrelated polymers (polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and a polyether polyurethane) indicated that platelet retention correlated positively with both total fibrinogen binding and with the amount of antibody-recognizable fibrinogen bound. Drugs that block platelet aggregation, but not adhesion, did not alter the hierarchy of platelet retention to the polyalkyl methacrylates. These data suggest that, contrary to previous views, platelet adhesion to artificial surfaces increases with increasing surface coverage of adsorbed fibrinogen if the bound fibrinogen maintains a conformation such that its functional domains remain recognizable by antibody probes.

Adsorption↗

Fibrinogen distribution on surfaces and in organelles of ADP stimulated human blood platelets.

The fibrinogen distribution in platelet organelles after ADP-stimulation was investigated with anti-human fibrinogen using protein A-gold applied to serial sections. Fibrinogen was detected in the so-called alpha-granules of platelets and also in granule protrusions which were observed after ADP-stimulation. The ends of these protrusions were formed as coated membranes and the tips were often in apposition to the surface connected membranes or the plasmalemma. At such places fusion events and hence signs of an exocytosis could be demonstrated by means of cryofixation and cryosubstitution. Examination of serial sections revealed fibrinogen on all these granule profiles. Surface connected membranes, free surfaces and the characteristic structure of the contact zones of aggregated platelets were also labelled by gold particles but less than anticipated. On the platelet surfaces and surface connected membranes fibrinogen was rarely demonstrable with ferritin-labelled anti-human fibrinogen on washed or thrombin-stimulated, almost fibrinogen free platelets. After addition of human fibrinogen to the thrombin stimulated and disaggregated platelets a part of the platelets aggregated spontaneously and formed characteristic contact zones. Anti-human fibrinogen was observed on the free surfaces, in filamentous bridges between the contact spaces and in a tubular surface connected membrane system with involvement of coated membranes at the central ends of these structures. The results indicate the following: all alpha-granules contain fibrinogen; after ADP-stimulation secretion takes place with involvement of coated membranes; during aggregation fibrinogen binds to platelet surfaces and forms contact spaces; fibrinogen is taken up by the surface connected system with involvement of coated membranes.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Esterification of the carboxyl groups in fibrinogen by the application of a highly specific methylating agent.

The trimethyl oxonium ion specifically modified the free carboxyl groups of fibrinogen. This esterification process resulted in the polymerization of the modified fibrinogen molecule with the production of a polymeric material that resembled the physiologically formed fibrin clot. The extent of methylation of fibrinogen was evaluated by methoxyl determination at each step of the polymerization process. The modified fibrinogen polymerized in approximately ten min with a minimum number of methyl groups being incorporated into the fibrinogen molecule. In this manner, it was shown that modification of carboxyl groups in the fibrinogen by a group-specific methylating agent results in polymerization of fibrinogen. The sites of methylation were ascertained by chromatographic analysis which resulted in the identification of beta-methyl aspartic acid and gamma-methyl glutamic acid derivatives of the fibrinogen. The analytical methods applied were not able to detect the methylation of any additional amino acid residues in the polymerized-methylated fibrinogen. Based on this experimental data, it was formulated that the methylation of fibrinogen involved the esterification of the carboxyl groups of aspartic and glutamic acid with the resultant reduction of negative repulsion between the fibrinogen molecules and thereby culminated in the polymerization of the modified fibrinogen.

Animals↗

Studies on the transcapillary escape rate of fibrinogen and capillary permeability in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The transcapillary escape rate and capillary permeability of fibrinogen were studied in 7 patients wih Plasmodium falciparum malaria and 4 control subjects by using 131I-fibrinogen as a tracer. The plasma disappearance curve of 131I-fibrinogen was followed during the first 60 minutes after injection. The mean transcapillary rate of fibrinogen in these patients was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group. As the plasma volume and fibrinogen concentrations were grossly elevated in these patients, this resulted in a significantly higher plasma clearance, intravascular pool of fibrinogen and out-flux of fibrinogen from the intravascular to the extravascular compartments. Both the effective capillary pore area per unit path length available for restricted diffusion and the specific permeability coefficient of plasma fibrinogen were increased in the patients group which indicated that the increased leakage of fibrinogen was due to the increased surface area of capillary membrane and an increased capillary permeability to fibrinogen. The mean extravascular transit time for fibrinogen to return to plasma via the lymph was slightly, but not significantly shorter in the patients group than the control group. All these findings indicated that there was an increased capillary permeability in patients with P. falciparum malaria which resulted in the increased leakage of plasma fibrinogen from the circulation into the extravascular space.

Adolescent↗

Fibrinogen potentiates the effect of interleukin-3 on early human hematopoietic progenitors.

The effect of human fibrinogen on the proliferation of purified SBA- CD34+ human bone marrow progenitors was investigated in clonal cultures. Fibrinogen alone or in combination with erythropoietin had no significant effect. However, in the presence of recombinant human interleukin-3 (IL-3), fibrinogen increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner the number of mixed and burst-forming unit-ethrocyte--derived colonies, whereas the number of other colonies did not significantly change. In the presence of fibrinogen, low concentrations of IL-3 (0.17 U/mL) produced three times more mixed colonies than without fibrinogen, reaching the number of colonies obtained with optimal concentrations of IL-3 (1.67 U/mL). Fibrinogen fragment D had the same effect in the presence of IL-3 as intact fibrinogen, whereas fibrinogen fragment E and human collagen IV did not. This effect was not mediated by integrins, because peptides or monoclonal antibodies that block fibrinogen binding on integrins alpha IIb beta 3, alpha v beta 3 (RGD-peptides), alpha m beta 2 (OKM-1), and alpha x beta 2 (HC1/1) did not affect the observed mitogenic effect. The mitogenic effect of fibrinogen and its D fragment was not mediated by induction of IL-6 or granulocyte--colony-stimulating factor secretion, because it was not inhibited by blocking antisera against these two growth factors. Our results indicate that fibrinogen potentiates the effect of IL-3 on primitive hematopoietic progenitors and suggest that the mitogenic effect of fibrinogen could be mediated via a specific mitogenic receptor that does not belong to the integrin family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stabilization of platelet-fibrinogen interactions is an integral property of the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex.

Fibrinogen binding to platelets is multiphasic and culminates in the stabilization of platelet-fibrinogen interactions characterized by the resistance of bound fibrinogen to dissociation by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or excess unlabeled fibrinogen. Controversy exists, however, with regard to the exclusive role of the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa) complex in this process. Thus the reversibility of fibrinogen binding to purified GPIIb-IIIa and GPIIb-IIIa activated by a monoclonal antibody (D3) on otherwise resting platelets was examined. GPIIb-IIIa was isolated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A followed by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and immobilized directly on plastic microtiter wells or immunocaptured by immobilized anti-GPIIb or GPIIIa antibodies. The extent of GPIIb-IIIa deposition, 0.14 to 0.27 pmol/well, was determined by using a monoclonal, anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibody (10E5). Maximum fibrinogen binding occurred after 60 minutes at 22 degrees C in the presence of 300 micrograms/ml fibrinogen, when 0.014 to 0.030 pmol fibrinogen bound per well. Assuming a 1:1 relationship between fibrinogen binding and GPIIb-IIIa occupancy, these data suggest that approximately 10% to 20% of immobilized GPIIb-IIIa was in an active confirmation. After 60 minutes, 65% +/- 13% of bound fibrinogen was resistant to dissociation by excess unlabeled fibrinogen, and 53% +/- 24% failed to dissociate with 10 mmol/L EDTA. Fibrinogen fragment D1 also bound irreversibly to immobilized GPIIb-IIIa (52% +/- 18%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

The structural motif glycine 190-valine 202 of the fibrinogen gamma chain interacts with CD11b/CD18 integrin (alpha M beta 2, Mac-1) and promotes leukocyte adhesion.

The leukocyte-restricted integrin CD11b/CD18 (alpha M beta 2, Mac-1) is a receptor for fibrinogen on stimulated monocytes and neutrophils. At variance with platelet alpha IIb beta 3 or endothelial cell alpha v beta 3 integrins, CD11b/CD18 interacts with a approximately 30-kDa plasmic fragment D (D30) of fibrinogen that lacks the Arg-Gly-Asp sequences in the A alpha chain and the carboxyl terminus of the gamma chain. Using epitope-mapped antibodies and synthetic peptidyl mimicry, we have now identified a unique linear sequence in fibrinogen that mediates ligand binding to CD11b/CD18. Anti-fibrinogen antibodies directed to the gamma chain region 95-264 inhibited 125I-fibrinogen or 125I-D30 binding to chemoattractant-stimulated neutrophils or monocytic THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Partially overlapping synthetic peptides reproducing this gamma chain region were tested for their ability to inhibit fibrinogen binding to leukocytes. A synthetic peptide designated P1, duplicating gamma chain Gly190-Val202, inhibited 125I-fibrinogen binding to stimulated neutrophils or THP-1 cells and blocked adhesion of these cells to immobilized fibrinogen in a dose-dependent fashion. Increasing concentrations of P1 inhibited 125I-fibrinogen binding to isolated CD11b/CD18 in a cell-free system. Consistent with genuine peptidyl mimicry, 125I-P1 bound saturably to THP-1 cells in a reaction inhibited by molar excess of unlabeled peptide, fibrinogen, or D30. Finally, immobilized P1 effectively supported adhesion of THP-1 cells in a CD11b/CD18-dependent manner. These data suggest that the fibrinogen gamma chain region Gly190-Val202 functions as a minimal recognition sequence for the leukocyte integrin CD11b/CD18. Given the participation of fibrinogen:leukocyte interaction in inflammation and atherogenesis, antagonists based on this unique structural motif would effectively interfere with aberrant leukocyte adhesion mechanisms without affecting Arg-Gly-Asp-directed vascular integrins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies on the functionality of newly synthesized fibrinogen after treatment of acute myocardial infarction with streptokinase, increase in the rate of fibrinopeptide release.

In 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction who received 1,500,000 U of streptokinase, the gradual appearance of newly synthesized fibrinogen and the fibrinopeptide release during the first 35 h after SK treatment were evaluated. At 5 h the fibrinogen circulating in plasma was observed as the high molecular weight fraction (HMW-Fg). The concentration of HMW-Fg increased continuously, and at 20 h reached values higher than those obtained from normal plasma. HMW-Fg represented about 95% of the total fibrinogen during the first 35 h. The degree of phosphorylation of patient fibrinogen increased from 30% before treatment to 65% during the first 5 h, and then slowly declined to 50% at 35 h. The early rates of fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and phosphorylated fibrinopeptide A (FPAp) release are higher in patient fibrinogen than in isolated normal HMW-Fg and normal fibrinogen after thrombin addition. The early rate of fibrinopeptide B (FPB) release is the same for the three fibrinogen groups. However, the late rate of FPB release is higher in patient fibrinogen than in normal HMW-Fg and normal fibrinogen. Therefore, the newly synthesized fibrinogen clots faster than fibrinogen in the normal steady state. In two of the 15 patients who had occluded coronary arteries after SK treatment the HMW-Fg and FPAp levels increased as compared with the 13 patients who had patent coronary arteries. These results provide some support for the idea that an increased synthesis of fibrinogen in circulation may result in a procoagulant tendency. If this is so, the HMW-Fg and FPAp content may serve as a risk index for thrombosis.

Adult↗

Adhesion of platelets to surface-bound fibrinogen under flow.

After platelet activation, fibrinogen mediates platelet-platelet interactions leading to platelet aggregation. In addition, fibrinogen can also function as a cell adhesion molecule, providing a substratum for adhesion of platelets and endothelial cells. In this report, we studied the adhesion of platelets to surface-immobilized fibrinogen under flow in different shear rates. Heparinized whole blood containing mepacrine-labeled platelets was perfused for two minutes at various wall shear rates from 250 to 2,000 s-1 in a parallel plate flow chamber. The number of adherent fluorescent platelets was quantitated every 15 seconds with an epifluorescent videomicroscope and digital image processing system. When compared with platelet adhesion and aggregation seen on glass surfaces coated with type I bovine collagen, a significant increase in platelet adhesion was observed on immobilized fibrinogen up to wall shear rates of 800 s-1. The adherent platelets formed a single layer on fibrinogen-coated surfaces. Under identical conditions, no significant adhesion was observed on fibronectin- or vitronectin-coated surfaces. Although platelet adhesion to collagen was substantially inhibited by the platelet inhibitors prostaglandin E1 and theophylline, these inhibitors had no effect on platelet adhesion to fibrinogen. Platelets adhered to recombinant homodimeric wild-type (gamma 400-411) fibrinogen, but not to the recombinant homodimeric gamma' variant of fibrinogen. Platelet adhesion to recombinant fibrinogen with RGD to RGE mutations at positions alpha 95-97 and alpha 572-574 was similar to that with plasma-derived fibrinogen. These results show that platelets adhere to fibrinogen-coated surfaces under moderate wall shear rates, that the interaction is mediated by the fibrinogen 400-411 sequence at the carboxy-terminus of the gamma chain, and that the interaction is independent of platelet activation and the RGD sequences in the alpha chain.

Alprostadil↗

Fibrinogen mediates leukocyte-endothelium bridging in vivo at low shear forces.

In addition to preserving hemostasis, fibrinogen assembly on leukocytes mediates inflammatory responses and may aberrantly contribute to vascular injury. In this study, we used real-time intravital video microscopy in exposed rabbit mesentery to investigate the potential role of fibrinogen on leukocyte adherence mechanisms, in vivo. At physiologic concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5 mg/mL, human fibrinogen dose-dependently enhanced by threefold to fivefold the adhesion of chemoattractant-stimulated monocytic HL-60 cells to rabbit mesenteric endothelium, by acting as a bridging molecule between the two types. Fibrinogen-dependent intercellular bridging occurred in venules, but not in arterioles or capillaries (1), was optimal at reduced flow shear forces (range: 0.77 to 2.79 dyne/cm2) (2), and produced a firm attachment of monocytic cells to endothelium, rather than transient rolling (3). Consistent with this model, rabbit fibrinogen failed to support human leukocyte adhesion, while human fibrinogen enhanced monocytic cell attachment to rabbit endothelial cells in vitro, in a reaction indistinguishable from that observed with human endothelium. Antagonists of the recently described association of fibrinogen with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), including monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) LB-2 or 2D5, or the fibrinogen gamma 3 peptide gamma Asn117-Ala133, blocked fibrinogen-dependent leukocyte-endothelium interaction in vitro or in vivo, respectively, while a control nonbinding antibody or the fibrinogen L10 peptide gamma Leu402-Val411 were ineffective. These data suggest that simultaneous assembly of fibrinogen on leukocytes and endothelial ICAM-1 provides a pathway of intercellular adhesion which may act in concert with beta 2 integrins to stabilize firm leukocyte attachment to endothelium, in vivo. Given the recognized role of fibrinogen as a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, this mechanism may directly contribute to thrombus formation and endothelial cell damage in vascular diseases.

Animals↗

Effects of gemfibrozil and ciprofibrate on plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrinogen in hyperlipidaemic patients.

Evaluation of fibrate treatment in humans has focused primarily on its anti-lipidaemic effects. A potentially favourable haemostasis-modulating activity of fibrates has also been recognized but the data are not consistent. We sought to learn more about this variability by examining the effects of gemfibrozil and ciprofibrate on plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibrinogen in primary hyperlipidaemic patients after six and twelve weeks of treatment using different assay systems for PAI-1 and fibrinogen. Although both fibrates effectively lowered triglyceride and cholesterol levels, no effect on the elevated baseline antigen levels of t-PA and PAI-1 was observed after fibrate treatment. However, both fibrates influenced plasma fibrinogen levels, albeit in a different way. Fibrinogen antigen levels were elevated by 17.6% (p <0.05) and 24.3% (p <0.001) with gemfibrozil after six and twelve weeks, respectively, whereas with ciprofibrate there was no effect. Using a Clauss functional assay with either a mechanical end point or a turbidity-based end point, no significant change in fibrinogen levels was seen after six weeks of gemfibrozil treatment. However, after twelve weeks, gemfibrozil enhanced functional fibrinogen levels by 7.2% (p <0.05) as assessed by the Clauss mechanical assay, but decreased functional fibrinogen levels by 12.5% (p <0.0001) when a Clauss assay based on turbidity was used. After six or twelve weeks of ciprofibrate treatment, functional fibrinogen levels were decreased by 10.1% (p <0.001) and 10.5% (p <0.0001), respectively on the basis of Clauss mechanical and by 14.2% (p <0.001) and 28.2% (p <0.0001), respectively with the Clauss turbidimetric assay. A remarkable and consistent finding with both fibrates was the decrease in functionality of fibrinogen as assessed by the ratio of functional fibrinogen (determined by either of the two Clauss assays) to fibrinogen antigen. Taken together, our results indicate that at least part of the variability in the effects of fibrates on haemostatic parameters can be explained by intrinsic differences between various fibrates, by differences in treatment period and/or by the different outcomes of various assay systems. Interestingly, the two fibrates tested both reduced the functionality of fibrinogen.

Adult↗

Activation of the fibrinogen receptor on human platelets exposed to alpha chymotrypsin. Relationship with a major proteolytic cleavage at the carboxyterminus of the membrane glycoprotein IIb heavy chain.

The serine proteinase alpha chymotrypsin from bovine pancreas (CT) is known to expose fibrinogen binding sites on the surface of human platelets in the absence of cell activation and granular secretion. This is accompanied by the appearance of membrane-bound chymotryptic fragments of both glycoprotein (GP) IIb and GPIIIa, the two subunits of the platelet fibrinogen receptor, the GPIIb-IIIa complex. However, no clear relationship between discrete proteolytic event(s) within GPIIb-IIIa and fibrinogen-binding-site expression has yet been established. We have now evaluated the proteolysis of GPIIb-IIIa by CT by Western blot analyses using a panel of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against GPIIb or GPIIIa. The different proteolytic events were then correlated with the kinetics of the expression of active fibrinogen binding sites on platelets, as measured through the binding of 125I-labelled purified fibrinogen and to the capacity of CT-treated platelets to aggregate. Treatment of platelets with CT at 22 degrees C resulted in the expression of fibrinogen binding sites prior to cleavage of GPIIIa (Mr approximately 90,000) into a previously described, major membrane-bound fragment with Mr 60,000. In contrast, fibrinogen receptor expression closely paralleled a proteolytic cleavage at the carboxy terminus of the GPIIb heavy chain (Mr approximately 120,000), which was converted into a faster migrating species with Mr approximately 115,000). This proteolysis resulted in the release of a soluble peptide with an expected molecular mass of less than 3.7 kDa. Quantitation of this peptide using a competitive immunoenzymatic assay, confirmed that its release from the platelet surface correlated with the expression of fibrinogen binding sites and aggregability. When platelets were exposed to CT at 37 degrees C, a prompt increase in fibrinogen binding sites and platelet aggregability was observed, whereas the GPIIb heavy chain was rapidly converted into the carboxy-terminal-cleaved form. However, incubation at 37 degrees C for longer than 10 min resulted in extensive and simultaneous degradation of both the GPIIb heavy and light chains and of GPIIIa, with the latter being converted into the 60-kDa fragment. These later events were associated with a sharp decline of platelet aggregability and a reduction in the number of fibrinogen binding sites. These data allow us to propose that an early and limited proteolytic processing of the GPIIb component of the platelet fibrinogen receptor is associated with a shift of this receptor complex into a state which expresses specific binding sites for fibrinogen. Further cleavage of GPIIIa to generate the 60-kDa fragment results in loss of receptor activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Some studies with a monoclonal antibody directed against human fibrinogen.

Some properties of a monoclonal antibody generated against the fibrinogen component of a factor VIII preparation were investigated. The antibody bound with equal affinity in solid phase radioimmunoassays to fibrinogens isolated from both normal patients and patients with von Willebrand disease. It reacted in a sensitive immunoassay of plasma fibrinogen. The specificity of the antibody was confined to the parent molecule with no significant inhibition of fibrinogen binding by the fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) X, Y, D, or E. The antibody had no significant effect on the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time of normal plasma. However, it prolonged the thrombin time as determined by the Clauss chronometric fibrinogen method. During fibrinogen lysis by plasmin immunoreactivity of fibrinogen to the antibody was lost at the same rate as the clottable fibrinogen content determined by the Clauss assay. The lack of reactivity of the antibody with FDPs makes it a suitable reagent for investigating plasmin activity as well as studying fibrinogen and fibrin. These findings suggest that the epitope of the antibody lies within the polar protruberance of the carboxy terminal end of the A alpha chain of fibrinogen and is destroyed by plasmin cleavage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Quantitative assessment of fibrinogen cross-linking by epsilon aminocaproic acid in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Analysis of the effectiveness of antifibrinolytic therapy for liver transplant recipients is hampered by lack of quantitative assays for assessing drug effects. We adapted chemical engineering tools used in polymerization studies to quantify fibrinogen cross-linking by plasma from liver transplant patients obtained before and after epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) therapy. A target fluorescein isothiocyanate-fibrinogen (FITC-fibrinogen) molecule was constructed; it fluoresces in a quantifiable pattern when in solution, and undergoes cross-linking in the presence of plasmin inhibitors. Cross-linking quenches the fluorescent signal, and the quenching is a quantifiable endpoint. Thus fluorescence from this reporter molecule can be used to assess functional improvement in fibrinogen cross-linking as a result of antifibrinolytic therapies, and it is sensitive to picomolar amounts of plasmin inhibitors and activators. Cross-linking of FITC-fibrinogen by patient plasma, before and after EACA therapy, was assessed using fluorescence spectrometry. Fluorescence patterns from FITC-fibrinogen indicated no significant cross-linking of the target fibrinogen as a consequence of EACA in posttreatment plasma. When the fibrinogen-FITC target was assayed without plasma in the presence of EACA at concentrations that bracket therapeutic levels (100 and 400 microg/ml), significant fluorescence quenching (target FITC-fibrinogen cross-linking) was achieved. These results suggest that fibrinogen-FITC fluorescence is sensitive enough to detect EACA activity in clinically relevant ranges, but that EACA given in usual doses is insufficient to promote fibrinogen cross-linking in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Adult↗

The effects of in vitro phosphorylation and dephosphorylation on the thrombin-induced gelation and plasmin degradation of fibrinogen.

The alpha-chain of human fibrinogen was found to be phosphorylated in EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood when trace amounts of (gamma-32P)ATP and 7.5 mM Mg2+ ions were added. Fibrinogen was not phosphorylated if only the ATP was added. The thrombin-induced gelation of fibrinogen phosphorylated by protein kinase A, casein kinase I or II was studied spectrophotomerically. It was found that phosphorylation by protein kinase A caused the formation of thinner fibrin fibres, whereas phosphorylation by casein kinase II resulted in fibres slightly thicker than those of the control fibrinogen (equivalent to a 20% increase in the control fibrinogen concentration). Phosphorylation with casein kinase I did not significantly affect the fibrin fibre thickness. Dephosphorylation by alkaline phosphatase removed 50% of the 32P-labelled phosphate from protein kinase A-phosphorylated fibrinogen and over 90% from the casein kinase I or II-phosphorylated fibrinogens. This dephosphorylation resulted in a general increase in fibre thickness in the gelation assay in all samples, although the fibres of the phosphorylated fibrinogens remained substantially thinner than the dephosphorylated control fibrinogen. Plasmin digestion of the phosphorylated fibrinogens showed that they were more resistant to cleavage, being cleaved at only 30% to 70% of the rate of control fibrinogen and that this resistance was unaltered by dephosphorylation, in contrast to the thrombin gelation experiments.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Regulated unmasking of the cryptic binding site for integrin alpha M beta 2 in the gamma C-domain of fibrinogen.

Fibrinogen is a ligand for leukocyte integrin alpha(M)beta2 (CD11b/CD18, Mac-1) and mediates adhesion and migration of leukocytes during the immune-inflammatory responses. The binding site for alpha(M)beta2 resides in gammaC, a constituent subdomain in the D-domain of fibrinogen. The sequence gamma383-395 (P2-C) in gammaC was implicated as the major binding site for alpha(M)beta2. It is unknown why alpha(M)beta2 on leukocytes can bind to immobilized fibrinogen in the presence of high concentrations of soluble fibrinogen in plasma. In this study, we have investigated the accessibility of the binding site in fibrinogen for alpha(M)beta2. We found that the alpha(M)beta2-binding site in gammaC is cryptic and identified the mechanism that regulates its unmasking. Proteolytic removal of the small COOH-terminal segment(s) of gammaC, gamma397/405-411, converted the D100 fragment of fibrinogen, which contains intact gammaC and is not able to inhibit adhesion of the alpha(M)beta2-expressing cells, into the fragment D98, which effectively inhibited cell adhesion. D98, but not D100, bound to the recombinant alpha(M)I-domain, and the alpha(M)I-domain recognition peptide, alpha(M)(Glu253-Arg261). Exposure of the P2-C sequence in fibrinogen, D100, and D98 was probed with a site-specific mAb. P2-C is not accessible in soluble fibrinogen and D100 but becomes exposed in D98. P2-C is also unmasked by immobilization of fibrinogen onto a plastic and by deposition of fibrinogen in the extracellular matrix. Thus, exposure of P2-C by immobilization and by proteolysis correlates with unmasking of the alpha(M)beta2-binding site in the D-domain. These results demonstrate that conformational alterations regulate the alpha(M)beta2-binding site in gammaC and suggest that processes relevant to tissue injury and inflammation are likely to be involved in the activation of the alpha(M)beta2-binding site in fibrinogen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of putative fibrinogen Aalpha-, Bbeta-, and GammaA-chain integrin binding sites in endothelial cell-mediated clot retraction.

In this study, endothelial cell-mediated clot retraction was supported by fibrin generated from several purified fractions of plasma fibrinogen, purified proteolytic fragments of plasma fibrinogen, recombinant normal fibrinogen, and recombinant variant fibrinogen. These results were surprising because some of these fibrinogens lack domains that are known binding sites for the integrin receptors that support clot retraction. Specifically, fibrinogens lacking Aalpha-chain RGD residues at 572-574 or lacking the gamma-chain residues AGDV 408-411 supported endothelial cell-mediated clot retraction as well as intact fibrinogen. Thus, clot retraction mediated by endothelial cells is not dependent on either of these sites. A variety of monoclonal antibodies against the integrin alphavbeta3 partially inhibited the endothelial cell-mediated retraction of clots formed from plasma fibrinogen. As expected, an antibody to the platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 did not inhibit endothelial cell-mediated clot retraction. These results indicate that this retraction is mediated at least in part by alphavbeta3. These results support the conclusion that (a) neither of the two fibrinogen cell binding sites described above is required to support clot retraction or that (b) either site alone or in conjunction with other fibrin(ogen) region(s) can support clot retraction. Thus, endothelial cell-mediated clot retraction appears to be dependent on fibrinogen cell binding sites other than those required to support adhesion of resting platelets to immobilized fibrinogen and platelet aggregation.

Binding Sites↗

Delayed release of an abnormal fibrinopeptide A from fibrinogen Manchester: effect of the A alpha 16 Arg leads to His substitution upon fibrin monomer polymerization and the immunological crossreactivity of the peptide.

Fibrinogen Manchester is an abnormal fibrinogen with an impaired release of fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and a polymerization abnormality. In the accompanying article we have identified the amino acid substitution in fibrinogen Manchester as A alpha 16 Arg leads to His. When fibrinogen Manchester was digested with low thrombin concentrations approximately 40-50% of the total FPA content was release at a rate similar to FPA release from normal fibrinogen. The fibrin so formed exhibited an impaired polymerization of monomers. Digestion of fibrinogen Manchester with high concentrations of thrombin for prolonged times released the remaining FPA which had an abnormal retention time when studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This fibrinopeptide has been shown previously to contain the A alpha 16 Arg leads to His substitution. fibrin resulting from this exhaustive digestion had normal polymerization of monomers. The normal and substituted FPAs were isolated by HPLC and compared in a double antibody competitive-binding assay for normal FPA. The immunological cross-reactivity of the abnormal peptide was reduced, so that approximately 5 times more abnormal peptide was required on a molar basis to displace labelled normal FPA. Normal intact fibrinogen was 10-fold less reactive (on a half molar basis) than free normal FPA and the crossreactivity of fibrinogen Manchester was measurably less than that of normal fibrinogen. It is concluded that immunological measurement alone of FPA released from abnormal fibrinogens may not give a complete description of the kinetics of peptide release if the amino acid substitution lies within the FPA sequence. The combination of radioimmunoassay and HPLC, however, provides a powerful analytical approach that should be useful in classifying and characterizing abnormal fibrinogens.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗