Following fibrin polymerization, activated factor XIII stabilizes the clot by catalyzing the formation of specific intermolecular covalent crosslinks between pairs of y chains to form dimers and also among two or more a chains to form polymers. We have identified a series of previously uncharacterized a chain polymers with a wide range of sizes, including some with apparent Mr in excess of several million. Additionally, we establish the role of high concentrations of factor XIII in the extent and rate of α-polymer formation and provide evidence that the factor XIII required can be provided by platelets. Using SDS gel electrophoresis, we find that fibrin prepared from purified fibrinogen or from platelet-deficient plasma contains a series of 21 factor XIIIa crosslinked a chain polymers with Mr from 140,000 to 770,000. The mean Mr difference between individual polymers of 32,000 is consistent with a staggered, overlapping sequential addition of monomers to the growing α-polymer chain. In plasma containing no platelets, α-polymer formation was incomplete with residual α-monomer remaining. Progressively higher platelet counts facilitated more rapid crosslinking of a chains into larger polymers. Intact platelets were not required to promote crosslinking, since platelets lysed by freezing and thawing were also effective. Enrichment of plasma with placental factor XIII in an amount equal to that contained in platelets was as effective as platelets in accelerating the rate of formation and increasing the size of α-chain polymers. We conclude that platelets are a principal source of factor XIII for maximal fibrin stabilization, providing a larger quantity than is available from plasma alone and regulating both the rate and extent of α-polymer formation in thrombi or hemostatic plugs at sites of vascular injury.
Rapid formation of large molecular weight alpha-polymers in cross-linked fibrin induced by high factor XIII concentrations. Role of platelet factor XIII.
