An Antithrombin-Heparin Complex Increases the Anticoagulant Activity of Fibrin Clots

Clotting blood contains fibrin-bound thrombin, which is a major source of procoagulant activity leading to clot extension and further activation of coagulation. When bound to fibrin, thrombin is protected from inhibition by antithrombin (AT) + heparin but is neutralized when AT and heparin are coval...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemistry Research International 2008-01, Vol.2008 (2008), p.1-4-001
Main Authors: Smith, Lesley J., Mewhort-Buist, Tracy Anne, Berry, Leslie R., Chan, Anthony K. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Research Letter
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Summary:Clotting blood contains fibrin-bound thrombin, which is a major source of procoagulant activity leading to clot extension and further activation of coagulation. When bound to fibrin, thrombin is protected from inhibition by antithrombin (AT) + heparin but is neutralized when AT and heparin are covalently linked (ATH). Here, we report the surprising observation that, rather than yielding an inert complex, thrombin-ATH formation converts clots into anticoagulant surfaces that effectively catalyze inhibition of thrombin in the surrounding environment.
ISSN:2090-2247
1687-6709
1687-6717
DOI:10.1155/2008/639829