Bioregulatory roles for fibrin(ogen) on blood coagulation

A high plasma fibrin(ogen) concentration is a known risk for thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. Because fibrin(ogen) binds alpha-thrombin with high affinity, it has potential to modulate the interactions of the enzyme with its inhibitors and other substrates in plasma. In particular, fibrin moderates the inhibition of thrombin by antithrombin III and antithrombin III/heparin. Recently, we have demonstrated a novel regulatory role for fibrin(ogen) on plasma coagulation. A push-pull hypothesis is proposed for bioregulation of coagulation by fibrin(ogen). The experimental work which led to the formulation of this hypothesis is outlined.