Reactivity of fibrinogen and fibrinopeptide A containing fibrinogen fragments with antisera to fibrinopeptide A

The dimeric Aα chain composition of dysfibrinogenemic molecules with mutations at Aα 16

In the last stage of fibrinogen synthesis, two Aalpha-Bbeta-gamma half-molecules are disulfide linked in their N-terminal regions to form a dimeric fibrinogen molecule. It is not known whether intracellular hepatocyte assembly of fibrinogen half-molecules occurs randomly or is a directed process. One analysis based on partitioning of coagulable components of fibrinogen from a heterozygous dysfibrinogenemic subject having a mutation at the thrombin cleavage site (Fibrinogen Louisville, Aalpha16 R-->H), suggested that only homodimeric molecules containing two normal fibrinopeptides A (FPA, FPA) or two abnormal fibrinopeptides A (FPA*, FPA*) were present in plasma, implying that fibrinogen dimer assembly is directed. The same type of analyses on Fibrinogen Birmingham (Aalpha16 R-->H) indicated that there were heterodimers as well as homodimers, suggesting that fibrinogen dimer assembly is random. To examine this question more directly, the composition of fibrinogen molecules from seven dysfibrinogenemic families with either R-->C (four) or R-->H (three) Aalpha16 mutations was determined. Following treatment with Atroxin to release normal FPA from fibrinogen, N-terminal disulfide knot ('N-DSK') cleavage fragments were prepared and subsequently separated by SDS-PAGE to resolve 'N-DSK' components with two FPA*'s (N-DSK homodimer), one FPA* (des A N-DSK heterodimer), or no FPA's (des AA N-DSK homodimer). Fibrinogen from subjects whose molecules contained both normal and abnormal Aalpha chains, yielded a heterodimeric des A N-DSK derivative, as well as smaller amounts of homodimeric N-DSK and des AA N-DSK. These results indicate that when both types of Aalpha chain are produced, both Aalpha chain alleles are expressed and the resulting fibrinogen dimers are assembled randomly.

Application of a monoclonal antibody to estimate rabbit fibrinopeptide A released by habutobin

We reported previously that habutobin, one of the type A thrombin-like enzymes, releases fibrinopeptide A alone from rabbit fibrinogen. To evaluate the effective action of habutobin in experiments using rabbit for the treatment of thrombosis, we attempted to develop an immunological method for measuring the fibrinopeptide A level in the circulating blood of rabbit. The purified rabbit fibrinopeptide A was coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and BALB/c mice were immunized with the resultant fibrinopeptide A-hemocyanin conjugate. The spleen cells of an immunized mouse were fused with myeloma cells (P3-X63-Ag8-U1). As a result, one hybridoma (a-F-7) was selected, which secreted an antibody against rabbit fibrinopeptide A. Using this monoclonal antibody, we developed a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay for estimating rabbit fibrinopeptide A. It was able to measure rabbit fibrinopeptide A contained in bentonite defibrinated plasma. This competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay should be useful for determining the fibrinopeptide A level in the circulating blood of rabbits, using plasma defibrinated by bentonite.

Comparison of the sequence of fibrinopeptide A cleavage from fibrinogen fragment E by thrombin, atroxin, or batroxobin

In order to investigate the sequence of fibrinopeptide release from the amino terminal end of a dimeric fibrinogen-derived substrate by thrombin or batroxobins, we studied their effects on plasmic fragment E1, a core fragment from the central domain of fibrinogen containing both A alpha chain fibrinopeptide A (FPA) sequences. Isoelectric focussing (IEF) was employed as a means of resolving des A-fragment E1, from which one FPA had been cleaved, from des AA-fragment E1 resulting from the loss of both FPA's. Using densitometric gel scanning for quantification of the levels of intact fragment E1, des A-fragment E1, and des AA-fragment E1, in mixtures incubated with enzyme for various periods of time, we found similar catalytic rate constants (k1, k2) for release of the first fibrinopeptide A, (FPA1) or the second, (FPA2) from fragment E1, with either thrombin or batroxobin (k2:k1 ratios of 1.10 +/- 0.42, 1.34 +/- 0.26 respectively). Atroxin released FPA2 more slowly than FPA1 with a k2:k1 ratio of 0.34 +/- 0.1. Th finding that the cleavage of FPA2 by Atroxin is three-fold slower than thrombin and almost four-fold slower than batroxobin, suggest that batroxobin and thrombin cleavage of FPA2 may be cooperative in nature. However, the cooperativity in the cleavage sequence is insufficient to markedly suppress the evolution of intermediate des A fragment E species during early and intermediate phases of FPA cleavage from fragment E.

Plasma levels of elastase-specific fibrinopeptides correlate with proteinase inhibitor phenotype. Evidence for increased elastase activity in subjects with homozygous and heterozygous deficiency of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor

There is indirect evidence that unopposed human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is responsible for emphysema in patients with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (Pi) deficiency. To directly explore this possibility, we developed an assay for fibrinopeptide A alpha 1-21 and its degradation products and used it to measure HNE activity in 128 subjects of known Pi phenotype. The mean elastase-specific fibrinopeptide (ESF) level in 49 deficient PiZ individuals is significantly higher than that in 56 PiMZ heterozygotes (4.5 and 1.5 nM, respectively; P less than 0.01), while the mean ESF value in heterozygotes is significantly elevated over that in 23 normal PiM subjects (1.5 and 0.6 nM, respectively; P less than 0.01), consistent with increased HNE activity in those deficient in the major regulator of the enzyme. These results are not due to differences in smoking history because after correction for pack-years of smoking, ESF values in PiZ subjects are fourfold higher than those in PiMZ individuals (P = 0.005), while the ESF levels in heterozygotes are threefold higher than those in PiM subjects (P = 0.02). In addition, this analysis suggests that cigarette smoking and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency have additive effects on ESF levels thereby explaining why PiZ and some PiMZ individuals are at especially high risk for the development of lung disease if they smoke. Finally, the observation that ESF levels in nonsmoking PiZ subjects are inversely related to the percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1%) provides direct support for the concept that unregulated HNE activity causes alveolar septal destruction in patients with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency.

Clot-bound thrombin is protected from inhibition by heparin-antithrombin III but is susceptible to inactivation by antithrombin III-independent inhibitors

Propagation of venous thrombi or rethrombosis after coronary thrombolytic therapy can occur despite heparin administration. To explore potential mechanisms, we set out to determine whether clot-bound thrombin is relatively protected from inhibition by heparin-antithrombin III but susceptible to inactivation by antithrombin III-independent inhibitors. Using plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA) levels as an index of thrombin activity, we compared the ability of thrombin inhibitors to block FPA release mediated by fluid-phase thrombin with their activity against the clot-bound enzyme. Incubation of thrombin with citrated plasma results in concentration-dependent FPA generation, which reaches a plateau within minutes. In contrast, there is progressive FPA generation when fibrin clots are incubated with citrated plasma. Heparin, hirudin, hirudin dodecapeptide (hirugen), and D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) produce concentration-dependent inhibition of FPA release mediated by fluid-phase thrombin. However, heparin is much less effective at inhibiting thrombin bound to fibrin because a 20-fold higher concentration is necessary to block 70% of the activity of the clot-bound enzyme than is required for equivalent inhibition of fluid-phase thrombin (2.0 and 0.1 U/ml, respectively). In contrast, hirugen and PPACK are equally effective inhibitors of fluid- and solid-phase thrombin, while hirudin is only 50% as effective against the clot-bound enzyme. None of the inhibitors displace bound 125I-labeled thrombin from the clot. These studies indicate that (a) clot-bound thrombin is relatively protected from inhibition by heparin, possibly because the heparin binding site on thrombin is inaccessible when the enzyme is bound to fibrin, and (b) clot-bound thrombin is susceptible to inactivation by antithrombin III-independent inhibitors because the sites of their interaction are not masked by thrombin binding to fibrin. For these reasons, antithrombin III-independent inhibitors may be more effective than heparin in certain clinical settings.

Urokinase has direct catalytic activity against fibrinogen and renders it less clottable by thrombin

Recently, we demonstrated that tissue plasminogen activator directly releases fibrinopeptides A and B (FPA and FPB) from fibrinogen. The purpose of this study was to determine whether urokinase has similar activity. Incubation of urokinase with fibrinogen or heparinized plasma results in concentration-dependent FPB release unaccompanied by FPA cleavage. For equivalent amidolytic activity, high molecular weight urokinase releases twofold more FPB than the low molecular weight species. In contrast, prourokinase does not release FPB until activated to urokinase. Contaminating thrombin or plasma is not responsible for urokinase-mediated FPB release because this activity is unaccompanied by FPA or B beta 1-42 cleavage, and is unaffected by heparin, hirudin, a monospecific antibody against thrombin, aprotinin, or alpha 2-antiplasmin. FPB release reflects a direct action of urokinase on fibrinogen because release is completely inhibited by a monospecific antibody against the enzyme. Further, urokinase releases FPB from the FPB-containing substrate B beta 1-42, thus confirming its specificity for the B beta 14 (Arg)-B beta 15 (Gly) bond. In addition to FPB release, SDS-PAGE analysis of the time course of urokinase-mediated fibrinogenolysis indicates progressive proteolysis of both the A alpha- and B beta-chains of fibrinogen that occurs after FPB release is completed. As a consequence of urokinase-mediated fibrinogenolysis, there is progressive prolongation of the thrombin clotting time. These studies indicate that urokinase has direct catalytic activity against fibrinogen. By releasing FPB, a potent chemoattractant, and by rendering fibrinogen less clottable by thrombin, urokinase may participate in processes extending beyond fibrinolysis.

Human tissue-type plasminogen activator releases fibrinopeptides A and B from fibrinogen

In five patients with venous thromboembolic disease treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), there was a marked increase in the mean concentrations of fibrinopeptide A (from 0.6 to 5.9 nM; P less than 0.0001) and desarginine fibrinopeptide B (from 5.6 nM to 24.1 nM; P less than 0.01) 30 min after a bolus of rt-PA (0.6 mg/kg). Thrombin was unlikely to be responsible because the levels of desarginine fibrinopeptide B exceeded those of fibrinopeptide A and the changes occurred despite concomitant heparin therapy. The purpose of this study therefore, was to determine whether rt-PA directly releases the fibrinopeptides from fibrinogen. Incubation of rt-PA with heparinized plasma or purified fibrinogen resulted in time and dose-dependent release of both fibrinopeptide A and B. Contaminating thrombin was not responsible for this activity by the following criteria: the rate of rt-PA mediated fibrinopeptide B release was considerably faster than that of fibrinopeptide A, and fibrinopeptide release was unaffected by heparin, hirudin, or a monospecific antithrombin IgG. Aprotinin also had no effect on fibrinopeptide release, indicating that this activity was not plasmin mediated. Fibrinopeptide release was shown to be due to rt-PA because this activity was completely blocked by a monoclonal antibody against the enzyme. Further, the specificity of rt-PA for the thrombin cleavage sites on fibrinogen was confirmed by the demonstration that rt-PA released fibrinopeptide A or fibrinopeptide B from fibrinopeptide A or B-containing substrates, respectively. These studies thus demonstrate that (a) rt-PA releases fibrinopeptides A and B from fibrinogen thereby indicating that this enzyme is not specific for plasminogen, and (b) plasma fibrinopeptide A and desarginine fibrinopeptide B levels are not specific markers of thrombin action on fibrinogen in patients receiving rt-PA.

Development of an assay for in vivo human neutrophil elastase activity. Increased elastase activity in patients with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency

Leukocyte extracts contain enzymes that digest fibrinogen and release a fibrinopeptide A-containing fragment. This study was undertaken to identify the responsible proteinase and to characterize the fibrinopeptide A-containing fragment so that it could be used as an index of enzyme activity. Both the fibrinogenolytic activity and the release of the fibrinopeptide A-containing fragment mediated by the leukocyte extracts were shown to be due to human neutrophil elastase (HNE) by the following criteria: activity was completely blocked by a specific HNE inhibitor or by adsorbing HNE from the extracts with a monospecific antibody and reconstitution with purified HNE restored the ability to release the fibrinopeptide A-containing fragment. This fragment was not released by a variety of other proteinases or by HNE-inhibitor complexes indicating that, at least with respect to the enzymes tested, it is a specific product of HNE and its release requires the free enzyme. By separating the products of HNE digestion of fibrinogen using high performance liquid chromatography, identifying the immunoreactive fractions and subjecting them to amino acid analysis, the fragment was identified as A alpha 1-21, indicating an HNE cleavage site at the Val(A alpha 21)-Glu(A alpha 22) bond. The mean plasma A alpha 1-21 level was markedly higher in patients with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency as compared to healthy controls (0.2 nM vs. 7.9 nM; P less than 0.0001), consistent with increased in vivo HNE activity in these individuals.

A monoclonal antibody with ability to distinguish between NH2-terminal fragments derived from fibrinogen and fibrin

A stable hybridoma secreting homogeneous antibody (immunoglobulin class IgG2a) has been prepared by fusion using cells of immunoglobulin non-secreter myeloma (P3X63Ag8.653) and spleen cells of mice which had previously been immunized with the NH2-terminal CNBr fragment of human fibrinogen, the so-called N-DSK [(A alpha 1-51, B beta 1-118, gamma 1-78)2]. In competitive ELISA or radioimmunoassay this antibody (MAb/1-8C6) cross-reacted with intact fibrinogen, N-DSK, a des fibrinopeptide A (des FPA) variant of N-DSK, the so-called (B)N-DSK, as well as the intact B beta chain (B beta 1-118) obtained from N-DSK. Also, and mot importantly, cross-reactivity was observed with fibrinogen-free ethanol extracts of plasma obtained from patients known to contain high levels of fibrinogen or fibrin degradation products. In vitro thrombin digestion of any of these competitors resulted in complete loss of cross-reactivity. MAb/1-8C6 did not react with the A alpha or gamma-chains of N-DSK, free fibrinopeptide B(FPB), free B beta 15-42, as well as equimolar mixtures of the latter two peptides. These results suggest that MAb/1-8C6 may be to an epitope in or around the thrombin-susceptible B beta 14 Arg-25 Gly bond. Furthermore, due to its reactivity with patient plasma extracts, this antibody may be useful in clinical investigations dealing with fibrino(geno)lysis.

Sequence of plasmin proteolysis at the NH2-terminus of the b beta-chain of human fibrinogen

Employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), we have isolated and quantified the peptides that are released from the NH2-terminus of human fibrinogen B beta-chains by plasmin proteolysis. The peptides were identified by amino acid composition and by a radioimmunoassay developed for fibrinopeptide B detection. B beta 1-42 was the earliest fragment released during limited plasmin proteolysis. The level of this peptide reached a maximum and then began to decline during the course of the digestion. In addition, increasing levels of B beta 1-21 and of FPB followed the production of B beta 1-42. Using purified B beta 1-42 as a substrate, preferential cleavage was shown to occur at the 21-22 bond, with a minor cleavage at the 14-15 bond. Exhaustive digestion yielded two major components which were separated by HPLC: B beta 1-14 (FPB) and beta 22-42. The rate of cleavage at the 14-15 bond, which is the customary site of thrombin proteolysis, was not affected by the addition of hirudin indicating that this was not the result of trace contamination with thrombin. We have also examined plasmin proteolysis at the NH2-terminal region of the B beta-chains of a variety of fibrinogen derivatives and have found similar patterns of B beta 1-42 release. Using HPLC data, we have estimated the Km for plasmic cleavage of the beta 21-22 bond to be 1.8 X 10(-5) M and of the beta 14-15 bond to be 2.8 X 10(-5) M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alpha chain crosslinks of human fibrin: purification and radioimmunoassay development for two A alpha chain regions involved in crosslinking

Rapid and efficient purification methods that include hydrophobic chromatography on Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B have been developed for the peptides that span residues 241-476 (CNBr VIII), and 518-584 (CNBr X) in the A alpha chain of human fibrinogen. Amino acid analysis, NH2-terminal sequence determination, and SDS-PAGE indicated that greater than 95% purity of each peptide was achieved. Sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays capable was achieved. Sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays capable of detecting antigen in the range of 0.1-10.0 pmol/ml have also been developed for CNBr VIII and CNBr X. These assays have been characterized and successfully applied in studies designed to localize the two COOH-terminal A alpha chain regions in column effluents of CNBr-digested fibrinogen and crosslinked fibrin. When these immunoassays were used to study purified preparations of a high molecular weight, crosslink-containing CNBr derivative of a alpha polymer, the data provided immunologic confirmation for the involvement of CNBr VIII and CNBr X in alpha chain crosslinking.