Summary
Fibrinogen degradation products were investigated for leukocyte chemotactic activity
and for enhancement of vascular permeability. Both activities increased progressively
with plasmin digestion of fibrinogen. Active fragments were partially purified from
24 hr-plasmin digests. Molecular weights of the permeability increasing and chemotactic
activity fractions were 25,000-15,000 and 25,000 respectively. Both fractions had
much higher activities than the fragment X, Y, D or E. Electron microscopic observation
of the small blood vessels in rabbit skin correlated increased permeability with the
formation of characteristic gaps between adjoining endothelial cells and their contraction.
These findings suggest that lower molecular weight degradation products of fibrinogen
may be influential in contributing to granulocytic infiltration and enhanced permeability
in lesions characterized by deposits of fibrin and/or fibrinogen.
Keywords
Lower molecular weight FDP - Permeability - Chemotactic activity
