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Protein and platelet interactions with thermally denatured fibrinogen and cross-linked fibrin coated surfaces.

In this work the hypothesis that a mature, cross-linked fibrin clot, pre-formed on a biomaterial, may be relatively nonthrombogenic was investigated. A cross-linked fibrin layer was formed on polyethylene which had been precoated with thermally denatured fibrinogen. Plasma protein adsorption and platelet interactions with the cross-linked fibrin and denatured fibrinogen surfaces were investigated. The adsorption of albumin, fibrinogen, and fibronectin from plasma was measured. For all three proteins, the cross-linked fibrin surface exhibited much higher levels of adsorption than either the thermally denatured fibrinogen or the polyethylene surface. Vroman peaks were observed for fibrinogen and fibronectin on polyethylene but not on the cross-linked fibrin and thermally denatured fibrinogen materials. In dilute plasma the thermally denatured fibrinogen surface showed considerable resistance to protein adsorption. However, at plasma concentrations greater than about 5% normal, this protein resistance was apparently lost. Platelet interactions (adhesion and release of granule constituents from adherent platelets) using suspensions of washed platelets in the presence of red cells were investigated at shear rates of 50, 300, and 525 s(-1) using a cone and plate apparatus. The levels of platelet adhesion on the different surfaces were in the order: adsorbed fibrinogen > cross-linked fibrin > thermally denatured fibrinogen = polyethylene. Platelets on the cross-linked fibrin surface also showed high levels of release indicating significant platelet activation. Scanning electron microscopic observations were in agreement with the platelet adhesion and release data, showing only a few (but well-spread) adherent platelets on the cross-linked fibrin surface.

Adsorption↗

Fibrin is a regulator of Schwann cell migration after sciatic nerve injury in mice.

Fibrin, derived from the blood protein fibrinogen, is deposited in the sciatic nerve after injury and retards functional regeneration. Since Schwann cell migration is critical for remyelination of injured nerves, we investigated the effects of fibrin in this process. In vivo experiments showed that fibrin co-localizes with fibronectin deposition in the injured sciatic nerve. In vitro migration assays demonstrated that fibrin alone is not a permissive substrate for Schwann cell migration. Furthermore, migration assays of Schwann cells on mixed fibrin/fibronectin substrates showed that fibrin has a dose dependent inhibitory effect on Schwann cell migration on fibronectin. Our results show that fibrin, deposited in the sciatic nerve after injury, changes the composition of the extracellular matrix and inhibits Schwann cell migration. This negative effect of fibrin should be considered in the therapeutic application of biomaterials based on fibrin matrices.

Animals↗

A comparison of keratinocyte cell sprays with and without fibrin glue.

Fibrin glue is an excellent template for cellular migration and has been shown to be an effective delivery system for cultured autologous keratinocytes. We have investigated whether fibrin glue has any benefit on the percentage of epithelial cover when cultured autologous keratinocytes are sprayed onto a freshly debrided wound bed. Three pigs were used for this study. This provided a total of 18 full thickness, vertically orientated wounds, each 4cm in diameter and isolated in PTFE chambers to prevent re-epithelialisation from the wound margins. Eight wounds were sprayed with cultured autologous keratinocytes suspended in 2ml culture medium and eight wounds were sprayed with cultured autologous keratinocytes suspended in 1ml of the fibrin/aprotinin component of Tisseel fibrin glue (Baxter) mixed with 1ml of culture medium. In the latter group the thrombin component of the fibrin glue kit was applied to the wound bed immediately prior to grafting. The remaining two wounds were used as controls and sprayed with either culture medium or fibrin glue without cells. Epithelial cover was calculated in whole-wound biopsies at 3 weeks using image analysis, histology and immunohistochemistry. The cell suspension in fibrin glue appeared to spread more evenly over the wound surface, with no pooling in the inferior aspect of the wound. However, mean epithelial area at 3 weeks in the fibrin group was 1.6cm(2) per wound compared with 1.8cm(2) for the non-fibrin group, as measured by image analysis of digital photographs. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.802). This surprising result was confirmed by histological analysis of the wound biopsies, with a good correlation between histological and image analysis data (R=0.967). There was no observable difference in the quality of the epithelium on histological and immunohistological analysis of either group.

Aerosols↗

Fibrin sealants in supporting surgical techniques: strength in factor XIII.

Factor XIII has a well-established role in natural coagulation and clot stabilization. It is often added back to fibrin sealants that are used in a wide range of surgical settings to achieve successful hemostasis, tissue adhesion and wound healing. Factor XIII is the final enzyme to be activated in the blood coagulation cascade. It plays an important role in maintaining the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis. Factor XIII facilitates the formation of covalent cross-links within the fibrin network, forming a loose mesh after activation by thrombin. It adds significant resilience to fibrin clots, augmenting strength by as much as 5-fold. Both fibrin cross-linking and the factor XIII-catalyzed ligation of the fibrinolysis inhibitor alpha(2)-antiplasmin to the fibrin clot contribute to the increased proteolytic resistance of factor XIII-stabilized clots. Preclinical studies indicate that the inclusion of factor XIII in fibrin sealants used for vascular grafting significantly reduces suture-hole blood loss. This has important implications for the successful control of bleeding in comparable clinical situations. The advantages of factor XIII stabilized clots (increased strength, resistance to proteolysis, promotion of wound healing) suggest that the presence of factor XIII in fibrin sealants may optimize their performance in the clinical setting. The aim of this paper is to review preclinical data that provide evidence for a potentially positive role for factor XIII in fibrin sealants.

Animals↗

Polymerization site in the beta chain of fibrin: mapping of the B beta 1-55 sequence.

The formation of a fibrin clot occurs through binding of putative complementary sites, called fibrin polymerization sites, located in the NH2- and COOH-terminal domains of fibrin monomer molecules. In this study, we have investigated the structure of the NH2-terminal fibrin polymerization site by using fibrinogen-derived peptides and fragments. Fibrinogen was digested with Crotalus atrox protease III, to two major molecular species: a Mr 325,000 derivative (Fg325) and a peptide of Mr 5000. The peptide and its thrombin-cleavage product were purified by ion-exchange and reverse-phase HPLC; the authenticity of the B beta 1-42 and beta 15-42 peptides, respectively, was confirmed by amino acid sequencing. Since Fg325 had decreased thrombin coagulability, we addressed the question of whether the peptide B beta 1-42 contained a fibrin polymerization site. In order to identify and map the site, the peptides B beta 1-42 and beta 15-42 were tested for their ability to inhibit fibrin monomer polymerization. In addition the following peptides prepared by chemical synthesis were also tested: beta 15-18, beta 15-26, beta 24-42, beta 40-54, beta 50-55, and alpha 17-19-Pro. While B beta 1-42 had no inhibitory activity, the peptide devoid of fibrinopeptide B, beta 15-42, was a strong inhibitor. The peptides beta 15-18, beta 15-26, and beta 15-42 decreased the rate of fibrin polymerization by 50% at a molar excess of the peptide to fibrin monomer of 500, 430, and 50, respectively. The peptides beta 24-42, beta 40-54, and beta 50-55 were inactive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans on fibrin polymer formation.

Previously, we reported that the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hyaluronic acid (HA) specifically bound to the plasma protein fibrinogen [LeBoeuf, R. D., Raja, R. R., Fuller, G. M., & Weigel, P. H. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12586]. The binding of other macromolecules to fibrinogen could influence the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Therefore, we tested whether HA and other GAGs could alter the kinetics of fibrin polymer formation and the physical structure of the resulting gel. In this study, we present data showing that the GAGs HA and chondroitin sulfate (CS) affect fibrin formation in three specific ways: (i) they decreased the clotting time of fibrinogen 3-10-fold; (ii) both GAGs increase significantly the rate of fibrin polymer formation; and (iii) fibrin gels containing HA or CS had a final A450 that was greater than controls, indicating that these two glycosaminoglycans influence either the final size of fibrin fibrils or the extent of the lateral association between fibrils. These results demonstrate that the interactions of HA and CS with forming fibrin polymers can alter both the kinetics of formation and may produce structural changes in fibrin gels.

Animals↗

Effect of homo poly(L-amino acids) on fibrin assembly: role of charge and molecular weight.

Positively charged molecules such as protamine, leukocyte cationic protein, and the carboxyl terminus of platelet factor 4 have been shown to increase fibrin fiber thickness. Synthetic homo poly(L-amino acids) were used to explore the role of charge and molecular weight of cationic molecules on fibrin assembly. The effects of poly(L-lysine) (PLL), poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLG), poly(L-aspartic acid) (PLA), poly(L-histidine) (PLH), and poly(L-arginine) (PLArg) on the assembly and structure of fibrin gels were studied by using light-scattering techniques. At a PLG (Mr 60,000) concentration of 80 micrograms/mL and a PLA (Mr 20,000) concentration of 64 microgram/mL, neither of these negatively charged polymers produced a detectable change in either fibrin assembly kinetics or final structure. Positively charged PLArg (16 micrograms/mL) caused a 30% increase in fibrin fiber mass/length ratio without calcium. In contrast, PLH (16 micrograms/mL), also positively charged, had no effect in the absence of CaCl2 but produced a 40% increase in fiber mass/length ratio with 5 mM CaCl2. At concentrations as low as 1 microgram/mL, positively charged PLL increased the initial fibrin assembly kinetics and led to larger fiber mass/length ratio. The impact on fibrin mass/length ratio was equivalent for three different molecular weight preparations of PLL (Mr 25,000, 90,000, and 240,000). The lack of a molecular weight effect on fiber thickness and the low polymer concentrations required to produce the perturbation argue against an excluded volume effect as the mechanism by which lateral fiber growth is augmented. Mechanisms by which poly(L-amino acids) may perturb fibrin assembly are discussed.

Fibrin↗

Albumin indirectly modulates fibrin and protofibrin ultrastructure.

Albumin modulation of fibrin and protofibrin coagulation parameters was studied. Cation-depleted, fatty acid free, human and bovine albumins decrease fibrin clot turbidity in a concentration-dependent manner. Albumin also inhibits the formation of protofibrin gels, induced by addition of 25 microM Zn(II) to protofibrils, though it does not bind to (proto)fibrin. In order to verify that competition for cations underlies the influence of albumin, fibrinogen was dialyzed against cation-depleted albumin. Elemental analysis indicates a redistribution of Zn(II) from the fibrinogen to the albumin compartment, and the resultant fibrin clots are less turbid. Apparently, cation-depleted albumin acts as a competitor for divalent cations. The ability of albumin to compete for available Zn(II) was also expressed in gels formed by pH-jump experiments, in which fibrin monomer, maintained soluble at pH 4.9, is induced to change phase by addition of NaOH to pH 7.4. While turbidimetric evidence indicates that individual fibrin fibers simply become thinner with albumin, scanning electron micrographs (SEM) reveal a more complex effect on ultrastructure. Though albumin does not bind to the gels, fibrin gels produced with albumin show major changes in fiber ultrastructure, particularly evident in gels formed in the presence of Zn(II). These structural modifications are discussed within the context of the "excluded volume" effect, in which "crowding" by albumin alters (proto)fibrin reactivity and ultrastructure.

Albumins↗

Interaction of fibrin(ogen) with heparin: further characterization and localization of the heparin-binding site.

The beta chain 15-42 sequence of the fibrin(ogen) E region was implicated in heparin binding [Odrljin et al. (1996) Blood 88, 2050-2061]; whether heparin binds to other fibrin(ogen) regions remains to be clarified. To address this question, we studied the interaction of heparin with fibrinogen, fibrin, and their major fragments D(1), D-D, E(1), E(3), and alphaC, which together cover the entire structure of the molecule, by ligand blotting, surface plasmon resonance, and fluorescence. All three techniques revealed that at physiological ionic conditions only fibrin(ogen) and the E(1) fragment bind heparin, indicating that the only physiologically relevant heparin-binding site of fibrin(ogen) is located in its E region. To test whether the beta15-42 sequence is sufficient to form this site or some additional sequences are also involved, we tested the interaction of heparin with a number of beta15-42-containing fragments. The synthetic beta15-42 peptide bound heparin weakly (K(d) = 44.5 microM) while the recombinant beta15-57 and beta15-64 fragments exhibited almost 7-fold higher affinity (K(d) = 6.4 and 7.1 microM, respectively), indicating that the beta43-57 region is also important for heparin binding. At the same time the recombinant dimeric disulfide-linked (beta15-66)(2) fragment which mimics the dimeric arrangement of the beta chains in fibrin bound heparin with high affinity (K(d) = 66 nM), almost 100-fold higher than that for the monomeric fragments. This affinity was similar to those determined for fibrin and the E(1) fragment (K(d) = 72 and 70 nM, respectively) suggesting that (beta15-66)(2) mimics well the heparin-binding properties of the latter two. Altogether, these results indicate that the only heparin-binding site in fibrin(ogen) is formed by NH(2)-terminal portions of the beta chains, including residues beta15-57, and that dimerization is essential for high-affinity binding.

Binding Sites↗

Binding of synthetic B knobs to fibrinogen changes the character of fibrin and inhibits its ability to activate tissue plasminogen activator and its destruction by plasmin.

Synthetic peptides corresponding to the amino-terminal sequence of the beta chain of fibrin increase the turbidity of fibrin clots, whether they are generated by the direct interaction of thrombin and fibrinogen or by the reassociation of fibrin monomers. The turbidity of batroxobin-induced clots, which are characteristically "fine," is increased even more dramatically. Pentapeptides are more effective than tetrapeptides. Surprisingly, the same peptides also delay fibrinolysis, whether activated by exogenously added plasmin or from the fibrin-enhanced stimulation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activation of plasminogen. The peptides have only a very slight effect on the plasmic hydrolysis of a chromogenic peptide, either by the direct addition of plasmin or by plasmin generated from plasminogen by tPA. The synthetic peptides mimicking the B knobs appear to exert their action in two ways. First, they render fibrin less vulnerable to attack by plasmin. Second, they delay the fibrin activation of tPA. The latter is attributed to their ability to prevent the binding of the authentic B knob, which itself is located at the end of a flexible 50-residue tether and which needs time to find its elusive "hole". We propose that, when after a while the tethered knob does become inserted, it locks the betaC domain in a conformation that allows access to tPA-plasminogen-binding sites, whereas the untethered synthetic knobs restrict the fibrin to a conformation in which those sites remain inaccessible. Thus, although the interaction involving the A knob and gammaC hole is the basis for the polymerization of fibrin, the comparable but delayed interaction involving the B knob and the betaC hole is ultimately directed at preparing the clot for its eventual destruction.

Batroxobin↗

Interaction of fibrin(ogen) with apolipoprotein(a): further characterization and identification of a novel lysine-dependent apolipoprotein(a)-binding site within the gamma chain 287-411 region.

Interaction of lipoprotein(a) with fibrin associated with atherosclerotic lesions promotes its accumulation in the lesions, thereby contributing to the development of atherothrombosis. Numerous studies revealed that this interaction occurs through the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] component of lipoprotein(a) and COOH-terminal Lys residues generated by partial degradation of fibrin with plasmin (a COOH-Lys-dependent mechanism). At the same time, the mechanism of the interaction of apo(a) with intact fibrin(ogen) remained unclear. Our recent study identified the Lys-independent apo(a)-binding sites within the fibrin(ogen) alphaC domains which contribute to an alternative Lys-independent mechanism. In this study, we performed direct measurements of the interaction between apo(a) and various fibrin(ogen) fragments representing the whole fibrin(ogen) molecule except the alphaC regions. The experiments revealed that the apo(a)-binding site, identified previously within fibrinogen gamma chain residues 207-235 [Klose, R., et al. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 38206-38212], is a high-affinity site and mainly Lys-independent, suggesting that it should also contribute to the Lys-independent mechanism. The experiments also identified a novel Lys-dependent high-affinity apo(a)-binding site within the sequence of gamma chain residues 287-411. This site may provide interaction of apo(a) with intact fibrin(ogen) through another alternative mechanism, which depends on internal Lys residues. Thus, apo(a) may interact with intact fibrin through the Lys-independent and Lys-dependent mechanisms, while the COOH-Lys-dependent mechanism may prevail in the presence of fibrinolytic activity.

Apolipoproteins↗

Localization of an effective fibrin beta-chain polymerization site: implications for the polymerization mechanism.

To examine whether fibrin N-terminal Aalpha 17-23 and Bbeta 15-25 may contain high-affinity polymerization sites, GPRVVER and GHRPLDKKREE analogs were prepared, and their abilities to inhibit fibrin monomers from repolymerizing were compared in turbidity and clottability assays. Within Aalpha 17-23, GPR is the most active site (IC30 of 0.95-1.36 mM). Its extension into GPRVVER (IC30 of 1.75-2.3 mM) reduced activity. Within Bbeta 15-25, acyl-DKKREE (IC30 of 0.30-0.53 mM) can account for GHRPLDKKREE activity (IC30 of 0. 33-0.44 mM). Comparison of the assays showed that calcium, whose presence induces thick fibrin fibers, elicited a higher turbidity than clottability inhibition. Similarly, the lateral-association-promoting GHRP (IC30 of 1.25-1.43 mM) gave a high turbidity vs clottability inhibition ratio (137%). In contrast, low ratios were found for the linear-association-initiating GPR (73%) and for acyl-DKKREE (34%). Structure-activity correlation showed that fibrinogen-like acyl-GPRP and acyl-GHRP could inhibit D. E association at the millimolar range, but in a manner different from fibrin-related GPR peptides did, which required the NH2 as well as Arg presence. To explain Bbeta 20-25 masking, it is proposed that DKKREE in fibrinogen may engage in ionic and hydrogen bonds with KDSDW, the Aalpha 29-33 sequence implicated in thrombin binding. To explain acyl-GPRP and acyl-GHRP inhibition of D.E association, it is proposed that fibrinogen packing may be mediated by E domain association with alphaC (Aalpha 220-609) fragments of adjacent molecules, and by alphaC-alphaC association. A modified polymerization mechanism is deduced by taking into account fibrinogen N-terminal conformation as well as E domain binding to thrombin vs alphaC fragments. This model proposes the following. (1) Upon thrombin binding to fibrinogen KDSDW, DKKREE may become exposed. (2) Fibrinopeptide A cleavage further unmasks the NH2 and Arg group of GPR, leading to DKKREE and GPR initiation of polymerization. (3) The micromolar-effective thrombin-fibrin(ogen) binding may initiate a partial alphaC repulsion. Subsequent DKKREE and GPR binding to D domains of other fibrin(ogen) will lead to the formation of the trimer and bring additional molecules to fibrin N-terminal region, and the combined steric congestion may lead to a complete alphaC repulsion from the overcrowded E domain. (4) Repulsion of the large Aalpha 220-609 fragments may unmask multiple polymerization sites beyond the fibrin N-terminal region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fibrin monomer antigen: a novel marker of mortality in acute myocardial infarction.

AIMS: A novel sensitive method for analyses of soluble fibrin monomer antigen was used to assess the predictive value of fibrin monomer when estimating mortality after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fibrin monomer was measured in plasma samples from 293 patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin) in acute myocardial infarction (the FRAMI trial). Samples taken on days 2 and 7 were analysed using the Enzymun-Test FM(R)(Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). Non-survivors had significantly higher fibrin monomer levels relative to survivors (day 2, median (min-max): 1.8 mg. l-1(<0.01-73.1) vs 0.4 mg. l-1(<0. 01-103.5), P<0.0001). Fibrin monomer levels were significantly associated with congestive heart failure (P<0.001), enzymatic infarct size (P<0.0001), dalteparin treatment (P<0.001), and thrombolytic therapy (P=0.016). The relationship between fibrin monomer and mortality remained statistically significant after adjustment for these variables. In logistic regression analyses, fibrin monomer levels, age and congestive heart failure were all independent predictors of fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Increased fibrin monomer level is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with myocardial infarction. It allows further risk stratification when combined with known risk factors such as age and presence of congestive heart failure.

Aged↗

Fibrin degradation in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a model for extravascular fibrinolysis.

The patterns of degradation and the influence of factor XIII polymerization on fibrin stability were examined in vitro following incubation with leukocyte elastase. In vivo experiments, various factor XIII-polymerized fibrin clots were implanted subcutaneously in mice to evaluate the stability of clots in the extravascular space. Both in vitro and in vivo lysis proceeded faster with nonpolymerized fibrin and was not influenced by the presence of cross-linked alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor. In vivo lysis of implanted clots was prevented by elastatinal, powerful elastase inhibitor, suggesting that granulocyte elastase is chiefly responsible for clot lysis in the extravascular space. To further extend investigations on the mechanisms of fibrinolysis in tissues, we evaluated fibrin and its degradation products in the synovial space. Expression of factor XIII in synovial cells and activities of coagulation factors, fibrinolytic enzymes, and inhibitors were investigated in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Immunohistochemical analysis showed deposits of insoluble fibrin on synovial membranes and pannus to an extent related to the progression of the disease. Factor XIII was expressed by fibroblasts and macrophages in the early stages of the disease, whereas in advanced stages factor XIII staining was associated with fibrin. The reduction of certain coagulation factors and high level of thrombin-antithrombin complexes in synovial fluid show a steady activation of the coagulation cascade. The evaluation of fibrinogen degradation products and the pattern of degradation of synovial fibrin(ogen) suggest the participation of leukocyte elastase in fibrin(ogen) lysis in synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Epinephrine versus epinephrine plus fibrin glue injection in peptic ulcer bleeding: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer bleeding remains a disease with considerable morbidity and mortality. Epinephrine is the most widely used endoscopic injection agent, but bleeding recurs in 20% of high-risk cases. Fibrin glue might be an ideal injection agent, based on its physiologic properties, despite its demanding injection technique and high cost. The aim of this study was to determine whether the injection of fibrin glue in combination with epinephrine improves outcome for patients at high risk of recurrent bleeding. METHODS: Patients were prospectively randomized to injection of epinephrine alone (n = 70) or epinephrine plus fibrin glue (n = 65). Endoscopy was repeated daily until the ulcer base was clean. All patients were treated with high-dose omeprazole. RESULTS: Initial hemostasis was 100% in both groups. There was no significant overall difference in rates of recurrent bleeding (24.3% and 21.5%, respectively, for epinephrine and epinephrine plus fibrin). When patients were stratified according to Forrest criteria, no significant difference could be found, although there was a trend toward less recurrent bleeding after fibrin injection of actively bleeding ulcers. There was no significant difference in the proportions of patients who required surgery (10% and 6%, respectively, for epinephrine and epinephrine plus fibrin). Mortality was the same (3%) in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Adding fibrin glue to epinephrine for injection treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers does not improve outcome. Fibrin glue might be of some value in selected cases.

Adult↗

R136K fibroblast growth factor-1 mutant induces heparin-independent migration of endothelial cells through fibrin glue.

OBJECTIVES: R136K is a mutation of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) in which arginine replaces lysine at the primary thrombin cleavage site. This may be important in vivo in inducing endothelial cell (EC) migration and coverage of arterial injury sites by allowing R136K to be used in a fibrin glue delivery system, without thrombin-induced degradation, in the absence of heparin. The objectives of this study were to determine whether R136K, with and without heparin, can induce migration of EC and smooth muscle cells (SMC) through fibrin glue, and to compare these results with those of wild-type FGF-1; and to determine the resistance of R136K to thrombin-induced degradation versus FGF-1. METHODS: The dose-response migration through fibrin glue induced by wild-type FGF-1 and the R136K mutant in the presence and absence of heparin was tested with EC and SMC. Migration was tested with 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL of both FGF-1 and R136K, either with or without 5 U/mL of heparin. Migration of EC was also assessed after growth inhibition with mitomycin C. A novel modified Boyden chamber-type migration assay using fibrin glue on the upper surface of the chamber filter was used to test migration. The fluorescent marker calcein was used to identify those cells that had migrated through the fibrin glue and were embedded in the filter. Molecular degradation by thrombin was assessed with sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: For EC, R136K in the absence of heparin induced significantly more migration than did FGF-1 at 50 (P <.002), 100 (P <.0001), and 200 (P <.0001) ng/mL. In the presence of heparin, a chemotactic response of EC to cytokine was seen at all doses, with no significant difference between FGF-1 and R136K. A dose-dependent difference was noted in this group between the 100 and 200 ng/mL concentrations of cytokine (for FGF-1, P <.0001; for R136K, P <.0001). SMC showed no difference in migration with FGF-1, R136K, or negative control at any dose in the presence or absence of heparin. Gel electrophoresis demonstrated that R136K was more resistant to thrombin degradation than was FGF-1. CONCLUSION: Site-directed mutagenesis of FGF-1 to R136K enables induction of heparin-independent migration of EC through fibrin glue at an optimal concentration of 100 ng/mL. Neither FGF-1 nor R136K elicits SMC migration through fibrin glue. The ability of R136K to induce EC migration through fibrin glue in the absence of heparin may prove useful in vivo by inducing EC migration and coverage of arterial injury sites, thus potentially reducing thrombogenicity and intimal hyperplasia.

Cell Division↗

A steady-state template model that describes the kinetics of fibrin-stimulated [Glu1]- and [Lys78]plasminogen activation by native tissue-type plasminogen activator and variants that lack either the finger or kringle-2 domain.

The kinetics of activation of both [Glu1]- and [Lys78]Plg(S741C-fluorescein by native (recombinant) tissue-type plasminogen activator and its deletion variants lacking either the finger or kringle-2 domain were measured by fluorescence within fully polymerized fibrin clots. The kinetics conform to the Michaelis-Menten equation at any fixed fibrin concentration so long as the plasminogen concentration is expressed as either the free or fibrin-bound, but not the total. The apparent kcat and Km values both vary systematically with the concentration of fibrin. Competition kinetics disclosed an active site-dependent interaction between t-Pa and [Glu1]Plg(S741C-fluorescein) in the presence, but not the absence, of fibrin. A steady-state template model having the rate equation v/[A]o = kcat(app).[Plg]/(Km(app) + [Plg]) was derived and used to interpret the data. The model indicates that catalytic efficiency is determined by the stability of the ternary activator-fibrin-plasminogen complex rather than the binding of the activator or plasminogen to fibrin. This implies that efforts to improve the enzymatic properties of t-PA might be more fruitfully directed at enhancing the stability of the ternary complex rather than fibrin binding.

Algorithms↗

Molecular basis for the susceptibility of fibrin-bound thrombin to inactivation by heparin cofactor ii in the presence of dermatan sulfate but not heparin.

Although fibrin-bound thrombin is resistant to inactivation by heparin.antithrombin and heparin.heparin cofactor II complexes, indirect studies in plasma systems suggest that the dermatan sulfate.heparin cofactor II complex can inhibit fibrin-bound thrombin. Herein we demonstrate that fibrin monomer produces a 240-fold decrease in the heparin-catalyzed rate of thrombin inhibition by heparin cofactor II but reduces the dermatan sulfate-catalyzed rate only 3-fold. The protection of fibrin-bound thrombin from inhibition by heparin.heparin cofactor II reflects heparin-mediated bridging of thrombin to fibrin that results in the formation of a ternary heparin.thrombin.fibrin complex. This complex, formed as a result of three binary interactions (thrombin.fibrin, thrombin.heparin, and heparin.fibrin), limits accessibility of heparin-catalyzed inhibitors to thrombin and induces conformational changes at the active site of the enzyme. In contrast, dermatan sulfate binds to thrombin but does not bind to fibrin. Although a ternary dermatan sulfate. thrombin.fibrin complex forms, without dermatan sulfate-mediated bridging of thrombin to fibrin, only two binary interactions exist (thrombin.fibrin and thrombin. dermatan sulfate). Consequently, thrombin remains susceptible to inactivation by heparin cofactor II. This study explains why fibrin-bound thrombin is susceptible to inactivation by heparin cofactor II in the presence of dermatan sulfate but not heparin.

Binding Sites↗