We have analyzed the expression of several blood coagulation factors (IX, VIII, X, fibrinogen chains) and inhibitors (antithrombin III, protein C) in human embryonic and fetal livers, obtained from legal abortions at 6-11 week post-conception. The age was established by morphologic staging and particularly crown-rump lenght measurement.Total cellular RNA was isolated from partially purified hepatocytes or total liver homogenate using the guanidine isothiocyanate method. Poly(A)+ RNA was selected by oligodT cellulose chromatography. The size and the number of the embryonic and fetal transcripts are equivalent to those observed in adult liver, as evaluated by Northern blot analysis of total or poly(A)+ RNA hybridized to human cDNA probes.The level of coagulation factor transcripts in embryonic and fetal liver was evaluated by dot hybridization of total RNA (0.5-10 ug), as compared to RNA extracted from normal adult liver biopsies. The expression of blood coagulation factors in embryos is generally reduced for all factors, but at a different degree. In 5-11 wk liver, the level of factor IX is 5-10% of that observed in adults, while fibrinogen, protein C, antithrombin III RNA level rises from 25 to 50% and factor X is expressed at a level comparable to that observed in adult liver.We conclude that during these stages of development blood coagulation factors are expressed according to three different time, curves, possibly due to the effect of different types of regulatory mechanisms.
Effect of Heparin on the Decrease in Blood Coagulation Factor Activity Associated with Experimental Endotoxemia
