Endothelial cells organize fibrin clots into structures that are more resistant to lysis.
Acute myocardial infarction is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Introducing thrombolytic agents into the clot to dissolve occlusive coronary artery thrombi is one method of treatment. However, despite advances in our knowledge of thrombosis and thrombolysis, survival rates following thrombolytic therapy have not improved substantially. This failure highlights the need for further study of the factors mediating clot stabilization. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy of clots formed from fluorescein-labeled fibrinogen, we investigated what effect binding of fibrin to the endothelial surface has on clot structure and resistance to lysis. Fluorescent fibrin clots were produced over human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the clot structure analyzed. In the presence of HUVEC, fibrin near the endothelial surface was more organized and occurred in tighter bundles compared to fibrin just 50 microm above. The HUVEC influence on fibrin architecture was blocked by inhibitory concentrations of antibodies to alphaV or beta3 integrin subunits. The regions of the clots associated with endothelial cells were more resistant to lysis than the more homogenous regions distal to endothelium. Thus, our data show that binding of fibrin to integrins on endothelial surfaces produces clots that are more resistant to lysis.
Jerome
W Gray
WG
Departments of Pathology and Cancer Biology, U-2206 MCN, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232-2561, USA. jay.jerome@vanderbilt.edu
Handt
Stefan
S
Hantgan
Roy R
RR
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism
D016023:Integrins; D005337:Fibrin