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PubMed1981

Localization of a fibrin polymerization site.

The formation of a fibrin clot is initiated after the proteolytic cleavage of fibrinogen by thrombin. The enzyme removes fibrinopeptides A and B and generates fibrin monomer which spontaneously polymerizes. Polymerization appears to occur though the interaction of complementary binding sites on the NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal (Fragment D) regions of the molecule. A peptide has been isolated from the gamma chain remnant of fibrinogen Fragment D1 which has the ability to bind to the NH2-terminal region of fibrinogen as well as to inhibit fibrin monomer polymerization. The peptide reduces the maximum rate and extent of the polymerization of thrombin or batroxobin fibrin monomer and increases the lag time. The D1 peptide does not interact with disulfide knot, fibrinogen, or Fragment D1, but it binds to thrombin-treated disulfide knot with a Kd of 1.45 X 10(-6) M at approximately two binding sites per molecule of disulfide knot. Fibrin monomer formed either by thrombin or batroxobin binds approximately two molecules of D1 peptide per molecule of fibrin monomer, indicating that the complementary site is revealed by the loss of fibrinopeptide A. The NH2-terminal sequence (Thr-Arg-Trp) and COOH-terminal sequence (Ala-Gly-Asp-Val) of the D1 peptide were determined. Therefore the gamma 373-410 region of fibrinogen contains a polymerization site which is complementary to the thrombin-activated site on the NH2-terminal region of fibrinogen.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

The stimulatory capacity of soluble fibrin prepared from high and low molecular weight fibrinogen on plasminogen activation.

High molecular weight, low molecular weight and very low molecular weight fibrinogen were purified from human plasma, and converted partially or completely to fibrin by the action of thrombin or batroxobin. The stimulatory effects of these fibrin(ogen) preparations on plasminogen activation by tissue plasminogen activator were studied. When only 3-30% of the fibrinogen molecules were converted to fibrin, the high molecular weight fibrin had a greater stimulatory effect on plasminogen activation than equal amounts of low and very low molecular weight fibrin. In completely converted fibrin preparations, the plasminogen activating capacity of high molecular weight fibrin was either equal to (thrombin treated preparations) or greater than (batroxobin-treated preparations) that of very low molecular weight fibrin. These findings suggest that degradation of the A alpha-chain of fibrin does not per se increase its plasminogen activating capacity.

Batroxobin↗
PubMed1998

Un-cross-linked fibrin substrates inhibit keratinocyte spreading and replication: correction with fibronectin and factor XIII cross-linking.

Wound repair is characterized by the presence of a fibrin-rich matrix, but the effect of fibrin on re-epithelialization remains unclear. In this study, we determined the effects of different fibrin matrices on cultured human neonatal keratinocytes. Using purified fibrinogen and fibrin gels generated by the enzymatic action of thrombin, batroxobin (it leads to retention of fibrinopeptide B), or Agkistrodon contortrix thrombin-like enzyme (ACTE; it leads to retention of fibrinopeptide A), we determined the effect of each of these matrices on keratinocyte morphology, attachment, spreading, and replication as compared to tissue culture plastic. Morphologically, keratinocytes seeded on fibrin surfaces were more rounded and formed three-dimensional structures. Specific cell attachment, as measured at either 37 degrees C or 4 degrees C, was not altered on the different fibrin substrates (P > .05) but was increased on fibrinogen and factor XIII cross-linked fibrin (P < .01). However, keratinocytes seeded on fibrin, regardless of the presence or absence of fibrinopeptides A or B, showed a marked decrease (up to 71%) in cell numbers by days 5 (P = .0357) and 10 (P = .0114). Keratinocyte spreading was decreased by 78.8% (P = .0006), 80.3% (P = .0001), and 89.2% (P = .0001) on thrombin-, batroxobin-, and ACTE-generated fibrin, respectively, but not on fibrinogen-coated dishes. However, either the addition of fibronectin or cross-linking of fibrin with factor XIII allowed full keratinocyte spreading to occur (P = .0002 and P = .0013, respectively). We conclude that fibrin inhibits keratinocyte spreading in the absence of other matrix or plasma proteins or cross-linking by factor XIII.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fibrin gel structure and clotting time.

Liquid permeation studies of fibrin gels, which were formed in the presence of thrombin (Fibrin II) and in the presence of Batroxobin (Fibrin I), showed that those gels have distinctly different flow properties. For both gels the permeability coefficient (Ks) and average pore size varied depending on the conditions for gel formation. Low pH and ionic strength favour high Ks and large pore sizes, whereas high pH and ionic strength produce gels with low Ks and small pore sizes. Parallel turbidity studies showed correlations between the optical properties of the gels and permeation data. Of particular importance was the finding that the clotting time (Ct) is directly related to Ks of the final gels. Thus events preceding gel formation determine the gel structure. It is proposed that the average lengths of polymers formed prior to gelatin varies directly with Ct. Shorter polymers give infinite net works (gels) which are tight and longer polymers provide for formation of infinite net works which are more porous. At the same Ct, the net work formed with thrombin is, over a wide range of Ct, tighter than that formed with Batroxobin. It was also found that Ks is inversely related to the fibrin concentration (C) in the gels. The ratio Ct/C (permeability index) is thus an important determinant for the gel structure. The applicability of the permeability index to whole blood as a predictive test for thromboembolic and bleeding conditions is discussed.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗
PubMed1995

Local treatment with antithrombotic drugs can prevent thrombus formation: an angioscopic and angiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of local versus systemic treatment of thrombosis with various antithrombotic drugs. BACKGROUND: Local use of low dose antithrombotic drugs has been proposed as being effective and safe. METHODS: Heparin (30 U/kg), an antithrombin agent (argatroban, 0.05 mg/kg body weight) or a defibrinogenating drug (batroxobin, 0.05 U/kg) was locally infused into one side of the canine iliac artery after injury by balloon inflation. The other side was injured as a control. The efficacy of systemic delivery of high dose (heparin [300 U/kg] and argatroban [0.5 mg/kg]) and low dose drugs was also assessed. RESULTS: Sixty minutes after local treatment in 22 dogs, no thrombotic stenosis was observed by angiography in locally treated arteries (p < 0.005 vs. mean thrombotic stenosis of 27% in control segments for heparin, 25.3% in control segments for argatroban and 32% in control segments for batroxobin). Angioscopy demonstrated the same trend. In locally treated arteries, thrombus weight was significantly lower in the treated than control side. In the systemic high dose group (n = 10), angiographic thrombotic stenosis was < 5% after high dose drug delivery (p < 0.05 vs. control segments, 37.4% for heparin, 43% for argatroban). In another 10 dogs, low dose systemic delivery was not effective in inhibiting thrombus formation. Activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen levels did not change with local treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with systemic administration of antithrombotic drugs, local treatment is a safer and more effective method of preventing thrombosis.

Angiography↗
PubMed1993

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA for ancrod, a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma.

The 1.54 kb cDNA for ancrod, a thrombin-like enzyme, was cloned from a lambda ZAP cDNA library derived from the venom glands of Calloselasma (Agkistrodon) rhodostoma. The cDNA sequence reveals that ancrod is synthesized as a pre-zymogen of 258 amino acids, including a putative secretory peptide of 18 amino acids and a proposed zymogen peptide of 6 amino-acid residues. The amino-acid sequence of the predicted active form of the enzyme exhibits a high degree of sequence similarity to those of mammalian serine proteases (trypsin and pancreatic kallikrein) and other thrombin-like enzymes (batroxobin and flavoxobin). Key amino-acid residues (His43, Asp88, Ser182 and Asp176) that are thought to be involved in the substrate cleavage and in the substrate-binding reaction are conserved. Ancrod contains 13 cysteine residues. Based on alignment with the amino-acid sequences of trypsin and batroxobin, six disulphide bridges can be predicted to be present in the ancrod protein. The existence of a free cysteine, which changes the common sequence surrounding the Ser182 active site from Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Gly-Pro to Cys-Asp-Ser-Gly-Gly-Pro, is unusual for a serine protease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Purification and molecular cloning of calobin, a thrombin-like enzyme from Agkistrodon caliginosus (Korean viper).

A thrombin-like enzyme, calobin, has been purified to homogeneity from the venom of Agkistrodon caliginosus by a procedure involving Bio-Gel P-100, Mono S, and Pro-RPC. The enzyme was identified as a monomer with a molecular weight of 34,000 on SDS-PAGE, and its isoelectric point was 6.2. Calobin acted on fibrinogen to form fibrin with a specific activity of 226 NIH equivalent units, and also exhibited arginine esterase activity. The enzyme predominantly cleaved the alpha-chain of fibrinogen with little degradation of the beta-chain. It contained abundant asparagine/aspartic acid residues, but very few tyrosine or methionine residues. The proteolytic activity of the enzyme with TAME as a substrate was higher than that of thrombin. However, it showed neither lysine esterase nor caseinolytic activity. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by PMSF, and moderately by benzamidine and soybean trypsin inhibitor, indicating it is a serine protease. On the other hand, the enzyme activity was not inhibited by hirudin or aprotinin. cDNA (1.6 kb) for calobin has been cloned from an A. caliginosus cDNA library. The cDNA sequence indicates that calobin is synthesized as a pre-zymogen of 262 amino acids, including a putative secretory signal peptide of 18 amino acids and a proposed zymogen peptide of 6 amino acid residues. The cDNA sequence encodes a 238-amino acid residue molecule exhibiting strong amino acid sequence homology to those of ancrod, batroxobin, and flavoxobin isolated from other snake venoms. Calobin contains 12 cysteine residues. As judged on alignment of the amino acid sequences of other thrombin-like enzymes (batroxobin, ancrod, and flavoxobin), calobin constitute the formation of six disulfide bridges. Amino acid residues, His43, Asp88, and Ser182, which are thought to be the catalytic active site are highly conserved. As calobin is a glycoprotein, its possible glycosylation site, Asn-X-Thr, is located at amino acid residues 81-83.

Agkistrodon↗
PubMed1988

Amino acid sequence of a coagulant enzyme, flavoxobin, from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom.

The amino acid sequence of a coagulant enzyme, named flavoxobin, isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis (the habu snake) was determined by sequencing the S-pyridylethylated derivative of the protein and its peptides generated by chemical (cyanogen bromide and hydroxylamine) and enzymatic (clostripain, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, Achromobacter protease I, and elastase) cleavages. Hydrazinolysis was also employed to determine the C-terminal amino acid. The enzyme consisted of 236 amino acids and had a calculated molecular weight of 25,744. Flavoxobin was found to be highly (69%) homologous in sequence to batroxobin, a coagulant enzyme from the venom of Bothrops atrox, and 27, 39, and 31% homologous to bovine thrombin, bovine trypsin, and human kallikrein, respectively. The sequence around the active site serine residue deduced from the homology relationship was Phe-Asp-Ser-Gly-Thr, which is different from the common sequence, Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Gly, for most serine proteases. Flavoxobin appears to be similar in secondary structure composition to batroxobin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Differential effects of divalent cations on fibrin structure.

Calcium, a divalent cation, serves as a cofactor for several reactions of the haemostatic cascade and causes concentration-dependent enhancement of fibrin fibre size and fibrin structure. We have evaluated the ability of magnesium and zinc to influence fibrin assembly and structure. 20 mM magnesium shortened the lag phase prior to turbidity development and increased the fibre mass/length ratio (0.28 to 1.23 x 10(13) Da/cm) in a purified fibrin-thrombin system. In plasma clotted with thrombin, 20 mM magnesium increased fibre mass/length ratios from 0.60 to 1.65 x 10(13) Da/cm. Fibrinopeptide B release was not required for expression of magnesium's effect since lag phase shortening and increased fibre mass/length ratios occurred when clotting was initiated with batroxobin. In all cases, magnesium effects were similar to effects seen with calcium. In the purified system, zinc exerted effects at concentrations as low as 5 microM. At 10 microM, zinc shortened the period prior to turbidity rise from 15.3 to 2.3 s. The final fibre size increased from 0.30 to 1.16 x 10(13) Da/cm over the same concentration range. Zinc caused similar alterations in gels clotted with batroxobin. The lag phase shortened from 38.3 to 15.3 s, and the fibre mass/length ratio increased from 0.49 to 1.47 x 10(13) Da/cm as zinc concentration increased from 0 to 10 microM. The addition of zinc to citrated plasma at concentrations as high as 100 microM had no appreciable impact on fibrin assembly or structure. To avoid possible effects of citrate, zinc was added to fresh non-anticoagulated plasma. At concentrations as high as 100 microM, zinc had no effect on thrombin-induced clot formation or structure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium↗
PubMed2003

Effect of non-heparin thrombin antagonists on thrombin generation, platelet function, and clot structure in whole blood.

Platelet contractile force (PCF), which is absent in blood obtained during cardiopulmonary bypass, significantly recovers after protamine sulfate administration. In vitro studies reveal this effect to be primarily caused by heparin. Because many of heparin's effects are mediated by suppression of thrombin generation and activity, this study assessed the influence of thrombin inhibition on PCF. The effects of natural and synthetic antithrombins were measured. Clots were formed by the addition of batroxobin (0.21 microg/mL) to whole blood (platelet count 200,000/microL). Force development was measured from the moment of batroxobin addition. After 1200 s of clotting, purified antithrombin III (22 microM) reduced PCF by 74%. Thrombomodulin (0.014 microM) reduced PCF by 60%. At 0.040 microM, PCF was reduced by 82% (6.5-1.2 Kdynes). Hirudin decreased PCF in a dose-dependent fashion, with complete suppression at concentrations > or = 0.30 microM. At concentrations between 0.04 and 0.29 microM, Lepirudin (Refludan, a recombinant therapeutic hirudin) produced dose-dependent delay and suppression of PCF. Above 0.29 microM Lepirudin, PCF was totally suppressed. At 1.60 microM, bivalirudin (a synthetic, 20 amino acid peptide) delayed and reduced PCF by 50%. At 6.40 micro;M, PCF was completely suppressed. Although 20 microM of P-PACK II (d-Phenylalanyl-L-Phenylalanylarginine- chloro-methyl ketone 2 HCl) had little effect, 40 microM delayed onset of force development from 300 to 600 s and reduced PCF at 1200 s from 5.2 to 3.3 Kdynes. At 120 microM, force development was totally suppressed. Four micromol Thromstop (BNas-Gly-(pAM)Phe-Pip) delayed force development by greater than 800 s and PCF at 1200 s was reduced by 70%. At 0.20 microM, Argatroban (a synthetic polypeptide direct thrombin antagonist) delayed onset of PCF from 300 to 540 s and decreased PCF by 40%. At a concentration of 0.40 microM and above, Argatroban totally suppressed PCF. These results indicate that some of the antiplatelet effects of heparin are the result of thrombin inhibition and that low-level thrombin generation is essential for clot retraction. The sensitivity of PCF to the presence of thrombin may permit monitoring of antithrombin agents via this assay.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1976

Clottability and cross-linking reactivity of fibrin(ogen) following differential release of fibrinopeptides A and B.

Human fibrinogen was treated at pH 6.0, 7.3 and 9.0 with thrombin, batroxobin (thrombin-like fraction of Bothrops atrox venom) or an extract of the venom from Ancistrodon contortrix contortrix. These three enzymes released the NH2-terminal fibrinopeptides A and B at different rates. Thrombin-free, preactivated factor XIII (factor XIIIa) was added to incubation mixtures to stabilize resulting fibrin(ogen) aggregates. Cross-linking of gamma-chains and the size of covalently linked fibrin-fibrinogen oligomers were studied in an early stage of fibrinopeptide cleavage using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Batroxobin (pH 7.3) and thrombin (pH 6.0) preferentially released fibrinopeptide A, and resulting fibrin aggregates became rapidly insoluble. However, when fibrinopeptide B was removed with the contortrix enzyme, soluble cross-linked oligomers appeared initially. The opaque fibrin clots, produced by thrombin (pH 6.0) or contortrix procoagulant fraction (pH 7.3), were found to be devoid of alpha-polymers even after prolonged incubation with factor XIIIa. Our data suggest that the solubility and opacity of fibrin networks are not primarily related to the type of the cross-link (gamma-gamma versus alpha-alpha interactions).

Blood Coagulation↗
PubMed2007

A novel inhibitor of activated thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa) - part II: enhancement of both exogenous and endogenous fibrinolysis in animal models of thrombosis.

We have discovered a novel small-molecule TAFIa inhibitor, BX 528, which is potent, highly selective against other carboxypeptidases and safe. The present study was to determine if BX 528 can enhance exogenous and endogenous thrombolysis in four different animal models. In the first three models, a thrombus was induced by FeCl (2) (dogs) or laser (rats) injury of the femoral artery, or formed ex vivo and implanted in the jugular vein in rabbits. A low dose of exogenous t-PA was given to induce a low-level thrombolysis on an established thrombus. Co-treatment with BX 528 further enhanced the thrombolytic effects induced by the exogenous t-PA and, thus, reduced thrombosis in all three animal models. In a second rat model, fibrin deposition in the lungs was induced by batroxobin, which was spontaneously resolved in 30 minutes due to the activation of endogenous fibrinolysis. Pre-treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) attenuated this spontaneous fibrinolysis. Co-treatment with 10 mg/kg BX 528 prevented the LPS-induced attenuation of endogenous fibrinolysis. Thus, these studies demonstrated that inhibition of TAFIa by BX 528, our newly discovered small-molecule TAFIa inhibitor, enhanced both the exogenous (induced by a low dose of t-PA) and endogenous (LPS-induced resistance) thrombolysis without increasing the bleeding risk in four different animal models of thrombosis in different species (rat, dog and rabbit) employing different thrombogenic stimuli (FeCl (2) , laser, ex vivo and batroxobin) to induce thrombus formation in different tissues (artery, vein and lung microcirculation).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Acute phase reaction in rats: independent change of acute phase protein plasma concentration and macroscopic inflammation in primary rat adjuvant inflammation.

Experiments in rats suffering from primary acute adjuvant inflammation showed independent changes in serum acute phase protein concentration and macroscopic paw inflammation during antiinflammatory treatment: soybean trypsin inhibitor and horse-radish peroxidase caused antiinflammatory effects but simultaneously produced increased alpha 2 macroglobulin levels. On the other hand, cycloheximide significantly inhibited the increase of alpha 2 macroglobulin concentration in adjuvant inflammation, however, it had no antiinflammatory effect. All forms of treatment caused even some change in protein plasma levels of healthy rats which probably relates to an activation of cells producing interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and/or hepatocyte stimulating factor which trigger the synthesis of acute phase proteins in the liver. In inflamed rats, the snake venom batroxobin caused a significant decrease in the fibrinogen level whereas the paw swelling remained completely unaffected. Therefore, it seems to be doubtful whether acute phase proteins essentially contribute to the modulation of acute inflammatory reaction in primary rat adjuvant inflammation.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Endothelium-dependent relaxant effect of thrombocytin, a serine proteinase from Bothrops atrox snake venom, on isolated pig coronary arteries.

Since thrombin causes an endothelium-dependent relaxation of precontracted pig coronary arteries, the ability of thrombocytin, a serine proteinase from the venom of the common lancehead, Bothrops atrox, to induce endothelium-dependent changes in the vascular tone was investigated. Relaxation of pig coronary rings did not appear in vessels denuded of the endothelium. Thrombocytin (0.1-2.0 micrograms/ml) caused an endothelium-dependent, reversible, transient relaxation of PGF2 alpha-precontracted arteries which could be blocked by heparin and relatively high concentrations of alpha-NAPAP, a synthetic competitive thrombin inhibitor. Indomethacin and hirudin did not influence the relaxant effect. Both the thrombocytin- and bradykinin-induced relaxation were diminished by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue and by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. The thrombocytin-induced relaxation was absent in de-endothelialized vessels. Thrombocytin was able to induce aggregation of human blood platelets in Tyrode's solution at the same concentration range as used for the relaxation. Batroxobin neither relaxed precontracted arteries nor aggregated human blood platelets in vitro. The present studies show that the serine proteinase thrombocytin is not only able to aggregate platelets but may also release endothelium-derived relaxing factor from the vascular endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The action of prothrombin activated by Ecarin on fibrinogen.

Highly purified human prothrombin was activated by Ecarin, a prothrombin activating principle of Echis carinatus venom and the generated thrombin-like activity was investigated. Kinetics of the release of fibrino-peptides A and B (FPA, FPB) from human fibrinogen was estimated using radioimmunoassay technique. The direct proteolytic action of Ecarin on fibrinogen was studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by radioimmunoassay for fragment B beta 15-42 of fibrinogen. In a system containing Ecarin, fibrinogen and prothrombin both fibrinopeptides were cleaved off at a rate that was essentially similar to that observed with thrombin, the cleavage off of FPB being in the initial stage always slower than the release of FPA. At physiological concentration of prothrombin and at low concentration of Ecarin all FPB were liberated while less than 1% of B beta 15-42 immunoreactivity was released. It was possible to accelerate the release of FPB when prothrombin was activated by Ecarin in the presence of Fibrin I gel (formed from fibrinogen by Batroxobin which liberates FPA only) instead of fibrinogen. Fibrin I thus constituted a more favourable substrate than fibrinogen with regard to release of FPB. The results indicate that the coagulant activity generated from prothrombin by Ecarin is thrombin-like. No intermediate product capable of marked cleavage off of FPA only was detected.

Batroxobin↗
PubMed1984

A functional photometric assay for plasma fibrinogen.

We have developed a photometric assay for fibrinogen concentration. The sample is mixed with a snake venom enzyme (Batroxobin) and fibrin formation is recorded turbidimetrically at 334 nm. Reaction conditions are such that a linear increase in absorbance is obtained over a concentration range of fibrinogen from 80-700 mg/dl. Higher or lower ranges can be measured by adjusting the sample volume. Calibration is performed with a single standard. Precision and accuracy are comparable with the usual clinical chemical methods. Experiments with plasma samples digested with streptokinase showed that interference of fibrinolytic split products (FSP) is less than using the Clauss method. Large amounts of FSP in the sample, however, delay the increase in absorbance. This phenomenon can be utilized for the additional estimation of the FSP-content of the sample. Results obtained with the present method corresponded well with those obtained using the method of Clauss.

Batroxobin↗
PubMed1986

Fibrinogen Aarhus--a new case of dysfibrinogenemia.

Fibrinogen Aarhus was found in a woman with slightly prolonged whole blood clotting time. The thrombin induced clotting of plasma and purified fibrinogen was much prolonged. Kinetic analysis of FPA and FPB release revealed larger apparent Km and Vmax values for fibrinogen Aarhus than for normal fibrinogen. No clot formation of fibrinogen Aarhus was demonstrated in the presence of Batroxobin and the release of FPA was slower than normal. Upon addition of the clotting enzyme from Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix clotting did occur but the clotting time was much prolonged in comparison with normal fibrinogen. The turbidity of fibrin gels obtained from fibrinogen Aarhus was similar to normal fibrin gels at low thrombin concentrations. Increasing thrombin concentration resulted in appearance of degradation products in the fibrin gels from fibrinogen Aarhus and at the same time a relative increase in turbidity of the gels was observed. Possibly reasons for the slow release of fibrinopeptides, the delayed gelation, and susceptibility to degradation by thrombin are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Role of D and E domains in the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells into fibrin gels.

The structure of fibrin plays an important role in the organization of thrombi, the development of atherosclerosis, and restenosis after PTCA. In this study, we examined the mechanisms of the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) into fibrin gels, using an in vitro assay system. Cultured SMCs from bovine fetal aortic media migrated into fibrin gels prepared with thrombin, which cleaves both fibrinopeptides A and B from fibrinogen, without other chemotactic stimuli. Both desA fibrin gels prepared with batroxobin, which cleaves only fibrinopeptide A, and desB fibrin gels prepared with Agkistrodon contortrix thrombin-like enzyme (ACTE), which cleaves only fibrinopeptide B, similarly induced the migration of SMCs compared to fibrin gels prepared with thrombin. These results suggest that the cleavage of fibrinopeptides is not necessary, but rather that the three-dimensional structure of the gel may be important for the migration of SMCs. Furthermore, gels prepared with protamine sulfate, which forms fibrin-like gels non-enzymatically, similarly induced the migration of SMCs compared to the gels prepared with thrombin. Both anti-fibrin(ogen) fragment D and anti-fibrin(ogen) E antibodies inhibited the migration of SMCs into fibrin gels, suggesting that both the D and E domains of fibrin(ogen) are involved in the migration of SMCs into fibrin gels. The addition of GRGDS, a synthetic RGD-containing peptide, but not that of GRGES, a control peptide, partially inhibited the migration of SMCs into fibrin gels, suggesting that the migration of SMCs into fibrin gels is at least in part dependent on the RGD-containing region of the alpha chain. The migration of SMCs into fibrin gels was also inhibited by a monoclonal antibody for integrin alpha v beta 3 and alpha 5 beta 1, indicating that migration is dependent on these integrins. Furthermore, both fibrin(ogen) fragments D and E inhibited the migration of SMCs into fibrin gels, suggesting that these fragments, generated during fibrino(geno)lysis, may be relevant in the regulation of SMC migration into fibrin gels.

Animals↗