A novel serine protease secreted by medicinal maggots enhances plasminogen activator-induced fibrinolysis.

Maggots of the blowfly Lucilia sericata are used for the treatment of chronic wounds. As haemostatic processes play an important role in wound healing, this study focused on the effects of maggot secretions on coagulation and fibrinolysis. The results showed that maggot secretions enhance plasminogen activator-induced formation of plasmin and fibrinolysis in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Anti-plasminogen antibodies compromise fibrinolysis and associate with renal histology in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Antibodies recognizing plasminogen, a key component of the fibrinolytic system, associate with venous thrombotic events in PR3-ANCA vasculitis. Here, we investigated the prevalence and function of anti-plasminogen antibodies in independent UK and Dutch cohorts of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We screened Ig isolated from patients (AAV-IgG) and healthy controls by ELISA.

ABO blood group genotypes, plasma von Willebrand factor levels and loading of von Willebrand factor with A and B antigens.

ABO blood group is a genetic determinant of von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels. We investigated the effect of ABO genotypes on VWF and factor VIII (FVIII) levels and on the degree to which VWF is loaded with A- and B-antigens, expressed as normalized ratios, nA-ratio and nB-ratio, respectively, in the Leiden Thrombophilia Study, a large case-control study on venous thrombosis. We found that the ABO locus had an allele-specific, dosage dependent effect on VWF and FVIII levels and on the loading of VWF with A-antigen and B-antigen.

von Willebrand factor and its propeptide: the influence of secretion and clearance on protein levels and the risk of venous thrombosis.

Background And Objectives: Elevated levels of factor (F)VIII are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. FVIII levels are determined mainly by von Willebrand factor (VWF). We have investigated the contribution of secretion and clearance rates to the elevated VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and to the risk of thrombosis.