title: Human mononuclear phagocyte transglutaminase activity cross-links fibrin.
abstract: The physiologic function of the monocyte transglutaminases is not known. In this study, we detected Factor XIII A-subunit antigen and "tissue" transglutaminase antigen in human monocytes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting techniques. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that 27% and 49% of the total Factor XIII antigen in monocytes and human peritoneal macrophages, respectively, are expressed on the surface of the cells. Monocytes maintained in culture for 8 days had a 4-fold increase in Factor XIIIa activity and a 3.2-fold increase in the amount of Factor XIII antigen/mg cell protein. However, there was no increase in the "tissue" transglutaminase activity or antigen levels in cultured monocytes. In addition, we identified a Factor XIII deficient individual who does not express Factor XIII activity or antigen in plasma, platelets, monocytes, lymphocytes or erythrocytes. Intact monocytes from normal donors were able to cross-link fibrin formed in the plasma from the Factor XIII deficient individual. This suggests that transglutaminase activity expressed by peripheral blood monocytes may play a physiologic role in cross-linking fibrin during blood clotting or inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Veterans Administration, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Conkling
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Achyuthan
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Newcomb
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005177:Factor XIII Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D005337:Fibrin; D011503:Transglutaminases