title: An antithrombin-heparin complex increases the anticoagulant activity of fibrin clots.
abstract: 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.
authors: Henderson Research Centre, McMaster University, 711 Concession Street, Hamilton, L8V 1C3 Ontario, Canada.
authors: Lesley J
authors: LJ
authors: Smith
authors: Tracy Anne
authors: TA
authors: Mewhort-Buist
authors: Leslie R
authors: LR
authors: Berry
authors: Anthony K C
authors: AK
authors: Chan