The Chemotactic Activity of Fibrin Lysis Products

Authors:
  • VSV.J. Stecher
    V.J. Stecher
  • ESE. Sorkin
    E. Sorkin
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Fibrinogen was purified from the plasma of four different animal species. Homogeneity of the preparations was demonstrated by analytical ultracentrifugation, electrophoresis on cellulose acetate and immunoelectrophoresis,. Fibrinogen was converted to fibrin by thrombin and the resulting clot was lyzed using plasmin. The products of lysis were found to be strongly chemotactic for neutrophils. Neither plasmin alone nor fibrinogen by itself exerted a chemotactic effect. The results provide experimental evidence for a direct correlation between the process of fibrinolysis and chemotactic attraction of leukocytes. This system is discussed in terms of providing an explanation for the cellular response observed in numerous clinical situations where the levels of fibrin degradation products are increased.