Molecular mechanisms underlying the proangiogenic effect of factor XIII.

Objective: Coagulation Factor XIII (FXIII) was previously shown by us to induce angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular events underlying the proangiogenic effects of activated FXIII (FXIIIa) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods And Results: As shown by coimmunoprecipitation studies, FXIIIa crosslinked alpha(v)beta3 with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and enhanced the noncovalent interaction between the 2 receptors.

Seven novel mutations in the factor XIII A-subunit gene causing hereditary factor XIII deficiency in 10 unrelated families.

Background: Hereditary factor (F)XIII deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder mostly due to mutations in FXIII A subunit.

Objectives: We studied the molecular basis of FXIII deficiency in patients from 10 unrelated families originating from Israel, India and Tunisia.

Methods: Exons 2-15 of genomic DNA consisting of coding regions and intron/exon boundaries were amplified and sequenced.

Assessment of the coagulation profile in hemato-oncological patients receiving ATG-based conditioning treatment for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is increasingly used in pre-allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) conditioning regimens to prevent graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease. However, ATG was also found to be associated with increased incidence of thrombosis during organ transplantation. In the present study, we tested the coagulation status of 21 patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allo-SCT who received ATG-based (11 patients) or non-ATG-based (10) conditioning treatment.

Prevalence of circulating procoagulant microparticles in women with recurrent miscarriage: a case-controlled study.

Background: Circulating microparticles are markers of cell activation associated with various prothrombotic states. As hypoxia due to uteroplacental thrombosis is considered to be one of the causes of pregnancy loss, microparticles may be associated with pregnancy loss, in addition to, or as part of, other procoagulant states such as antiphospholipid syndrome or hereditary thrombophilias. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of circulating microparticles in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Novel proangiogenic effect of factor XIII associated with suppression of thrombospondin 1 expression.

Objective: Factor XIII (FXIII), a plasma transglutaminase that stabilizes fibrin clots at the final stages of blood coagulation by crosslinking fibrin monomers, is essential for embryo implantation and participates in tissue remodeling and wound healing, processes that involve angiogenesis. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of FXIII on angiogenesis using in vitro and in vivo models and to examine the role of FXIII in the basic steps of angiogenesis, ie, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis/cell survival.

Methods And Results: In the Matrigel tube formation model, only FXIIIa caused a dose-dependent enhancement of array formation.