Feller, T, Connell, SDA orcid.org/0000-0003-2500-5724 and Ariёns, RAS (2022) Why Fibrin Biomechanical Properties Matter for Haemostasis and Thrombosis. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 20 (1). pp. 6-16. ISSN 1538-7933
Abstract
Polymeric fibrin displays unique structural and biomechanical properties that contribute to its essential role of generating blood clots that stem bleeds. The aim of this review is to discuss how the fibrin clot is formed, how protofibrils make up individual fibrin fibers, what the relationship is between the molecular structure and fibrin biomechanical properties, and how fibrin biomechanical properties relate to the risk of thromboembolic disease. Fibrin polymerization is driven by different types of bonds, including knob-hole interactions displaying catch-slip characteristics, and covalent crosslinking of fibrin polypeptides by activated factor XIII. Key biophysical properties of fibrin polymer are its visco-elasticity, extensibility and resistance to rupture. The internal packing of protofibrils within fibers changes fibrin biomechanical behavior. There are several methods to analyze fibrin biomechanical properties at different scales, including AFM force spectroscopy, magnetic or optical tweezers and rheometry, amongst others. Clinically, fibrin biomechanical characteristics are key for the prevention of thromboembolic disorders such as pulmonary embolism. Future studies are needed to address unanswered questions regarding internal molecular structure of the fibrin polymer, the structural and molecular basis of its remarkable mechanical properties and the relationship of fibrin biomechanical characteristics with thromboembolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis and ischemic stroke.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | biomechanics; clot structure; fibrin; thromboembolism; thrombosis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Molecular & Nanoscale Physics The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM) > Discovery & Translational Science Dept (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number British Heart Foundation RG/18/11/34036 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 04 Oct 2021 15:35 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2023 22:47 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/jth.15531 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:178701 |