Summary
To analyze the biological role of factor XII (FXII, Hageman Factor) in vivo, we generated mice deficient for FXII using a gene targeting approach on two distinct
genetic backgrounds, i.e. mixed C57Bl/6J X 129X1/SvJ and inbred 129X1/SvJ. Homozygous
FXII knockout (FXII-/-) mice showed no FXII plasma activity and had a markedly prolonged
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). In contrast, coagulation factors XI,
VIII, IX, X,VII,V, II and fibrinogen did not differ between FXII-/- mice and their
wild-type littermates. Heterozygous matings segregated according to the Mendelian
inheritance indicating that FXII deficiency does not increase fetal loss. Furthermore,
matings of FXII-/- males and FXII-/females resulted in normal litter sizes demonstrating
that total FXII deficiency in FXII-/females does not affect pregnancy outcome. Also,
gross and histological anatomy of FXII-/mice was indistinguishable from that of their
wild-type littermates on both genetic backgrounds. Thus it appears that deficiency
of murine FXII does not cause thrombophilia or impaired fibrinolysis in vivo. These results indicate that FXII deficiency does not affect hemostasis in vivo and we anticipate that the FXII-/mice will be helpful to elucidate the biological
role(s) of FXII in health and disease.
Keywords
Coagulation - factor XII - gene targeting