Platelet factor XIII-A regulates platelet function and promotes clot retraction and stability.

Factor XIII (FXIII) is an important proenzyme in the hemostatic system. The plasma-derived enzyme activated FXIII cross-links fibrin fibers within thrombi to increase their mechanical strength and cross-links fibrin to fibrinolytic inhibitors, specifically α2-antiplasmin, to increase resistance to fibrinolysis. We have previously shown that cellular FXIII (factor XIII-A [FXIII-A]), which is abundant in the platelet cytoplasm, is externalized onto the activated membrane and cross-links extracellular substrates. The contribution of cellular FXIII-A to platelet activation and platelet function has not been extensively studied. This study aims to identify the role of platelet FXIII-A in platelet function. We used normal healthy platelets with a cell permeable FXIII inhibitor and platelets from FXIII-deficient patients as a FXIII-free platelet model in a range of platelet function and clotting tests. Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A enhances fibrinogen binding to the platelet surface upon agonist stimulation and improves the binding of platelets to fibrinogen and aggregation under flow in a whole-blood thrombus formation assay. In the absence of FXIII-A, platelets show reduced sensitivity to agonist stimulation, including decreased P-selectin exposure and fibrinogen binding. We show that FXIII-A is involved in platelet spreading where a lack of FXIII-A reduces the ability of platelets to fully spread on fibrinogen and collagen. Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A is important for clot retraction where clots formed in its absence retracted to a lesser extent. Overall, this study shows that platelet FXIII-A functions during thrombus formation by aiding platelet activation and thrombus retraction in addition to its antifibrinolytic roles

Platelet factor XIII-A regulates platelet function and promotes clot retraction and stability

Background: Factor XIII (FXIII) is an important proenzyme in the haemostatic system. The active plasma-derived enzyme FXIIIa cross-links fibrin fibres within thrombi to increase their mechanical strength and to fibrinolytic inhibitors, specifically 2antiplasmin (2AP) to increase resistance to fibrinolysis. We have previously shown that cellular factor XIII (FXIII-A), which is abundant in the platelet cytoplasm, is externalised onto the activated membrane and cross-links extracellular substrates. The contribution of platelet derived FXIII-A to platelet activation and platelet function has not been extensively studied. Objectives: This study aims to identify the role of platelet factor XIII-A in platelet function. Patients/methods: We have utilised normal healthy platelets with a cell permeable FXIII inhibitor and platelets from FXIII-deficient patients as a FXIII free platelet model in a range of platelet function and clotting tests. Results: Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A enhances fibrinogen binding to the platelet surface upon agonist stimulation and improves the binding of platelets to fibrinogen and aggregation under flow in a whole blood thrombus formation assay. In the absence of FXIII-A, platelets show reduced sensitivity to agonist stimulation, including decreased P-selectin exposure and fibrinogen binding. We show that FXIII-A is involved in platelet spreading where a lack of FXIII-A reduces the ability of platelets to fully spread on fibrinogen and collagen. Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A is important for clot retraction where clots formed in its absence retracted to a lesser extent. Conclusions: Overall, this study shows that platelet FXIII-A functions during thrombus formation by aiding platelet activation following adhesion and thrombus retraction in addition to its antifibrinolytic roles

Platelet factor XIII-A regulates platelet function and promotes clot retraction and stability

Background: Factor XIII (FXIII) is an important proenzyme enzyme in the haemostatic system. The active plasma-derived enzyme FXIIIa cross-links fibrin fibres within thrombi to increase their mechanical strength and fibrinolytic inhibitors, specifically 2antiplasmin (2AP) to fibrin to increase fibrinolytic resistance. We have previously shown that cellular factor XIII (FXIII-A), which is abundant in the platelet cytoplasm, is externalised onto the activated membrane and cross-links extracellular substrates. The contribution of FXIII-A to platelet activation and platelet function has not been extensively studied. Objectives: This study aims to identify the role of platelet factor XIII in platelet function. Patients/methods: We have utilised normal healthy platelets with a cell permeable FXIII inhibitor and platelets from FXIII-deficient patients as a FXIII free platelet model in a range of platelet function and clotting tests. Results: Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A enhances fibrinogen binding to the platelet surface upon agonist stimulation and improves the binding of platelets to fibrinogen under flow in a whole blood thrombus formation assay. In the absence of FXIII-A, platelets show reduced sensitivity to agonist stimulation, including decreased P-selectin exposure and fibrinogen binding. We show that FXIII-A is involved in platelet spreading where a lack of FXIII-A reduces the ability of platelets to fully spread on fibrinogen and collagen. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that platelet FXIII-A is important for clot retraction where clots formed in its absence retracted to a lesser extent. Overall, this study shows that platelet FXIII-A functions during thrombus formation by aiding platelet activation and thrombus retraction in addition to its antifibrinolytic roles