Effect of Disease and Acute Exercise on Single Fibrin Fiber Properties

Abstract

Fibrin fibers are the major structural component of a blood. their properties affect wound healing and diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Working with purified fibrinogen, we have found in recent years that fibrin fibers have extraordinary extensibility and elasticity 1,2.Working with clots formed from plasma, we have now begun to correlate the mechanical properties of single fibrin fibers with diseases. This work provides a new approach to understanding blood clotting and related diseases. using a combined atomic force microscopy (AFM)/optical microscopy technique we determined the mechanical properties of single fibrin fiber of individuals who have cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, or who have undergone an acute bout of strenuous exercise. We found that fibrin fibers from old individuals with CVD are much more stretchable (∼1.5 times), elastic (∼1.4 times) and much stiffer (higher modulus) than those from healthy people. Moreover, we found that acute exercise also has a significant effect on fibrin fiber mechanical properties; fibrin fiber extensibility decreases significantly after exercise. Diabetes does not have a significant effect on single fibrin fiber mechanical properties. However, in the diabetes data we saw a correlation between fibrinogen concentration and fiber stiffness; fibrin fibers become stiffer as fibrinogen concentration increases.1. Liu, W., et al. (2010) “The mechanical properties of single fibrin fibers”, J. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 8, 1030-1036.2. Liu, W., et al. (2006) “Fibrin Fibers have Extraordinary Extensibility and Elasticity” Science 313, 634