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Thromb Haemost 2001; 86(04): 1028-1034
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1616529
Special Article
Schattauer GmbH

Human Thrombi Contain an Abundance of Active Thrombin

N. J. Mutch
1   Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, UK
2   Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, UK
,
L. A. Robbie
1   Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, UK
2   Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, UK
,
N. A. Booth
1   Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 April 2001

Accepted after resubmission 04 June 2001

Publication Date:
09 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

This study assessed the abundance and activity of thrombin in human thrombi, removed at autopsy or during surgery. Arterial and venous thrombus sections showed thrombin activity by in situ zymography, based on conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Hirudin or antibodies to thrombin abolished the activity. Thrombin activity in extracts of 40 thrombi was quantified by cleavage of fibrinogen or small peptide substrates; the results correlated well (r = 0.87, p<0.0001) with a median activity of about 4.5 IU/g of thrombus (wet weight). Activity correlated poorly with total prothrombin (median 27 μg/g) and was inversely related to antithrombin, but not to PAI-1. Zymography showed two major active bands, thrombin at 37 kDa, and a 50 kDa form that probably corresponds to meizothrombin desF1. The abundant local thrombin demonstrated here has implications for thrombus lysis and extension; incomplete lysis and exposure of active thrombin may lead to re-occlusion of vessels.

Keywords

Thrombin - active - thrombus - re-occlusion
 

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