Activated Hageman Factor Research Articles

Surface and fluid phase activities of two forms of activated Hageman factor produced during contact activation of plasma.

The ability of the two forms of activated Hageman factor (HFa) produced during contact activation of plasma to activate prekallikrein and factor XI was studied. alpha-HFa, defined as an 80,000 mol wt two-chain enzyme which remains bound to the surface was capable of cleaving surface-bound prekallikrein and factor XI. beta-HFa, a 28,000 mol wt single chain molecule, released from the surface during contact activation was able to cleave prekallikrein but showed no activity on factor XI. Cleavage of prekallikrein by beta-HFa occurred irrespective of whether the substrate was surface-bound or in solution. Cleavage of factor XI occurred only when it was surface bound and only the alpha-form of HFa was capable of this proteolytic action. Factor XI was found to remain bound to the surface while prekallikrein and kallikrein rapidly dissociated from the surface into the supernate. These findings suggest that the initiation of intrinsic coagulation through the activation factor XI is a localized event occurring at the site of contact activation and is the result of the action of alpha-HFa. By contrast, kinin generation and fibrinolysis resulting from the formation of kallikrein can be initiated either at the site of contact activation, by alpha-HFa action, or throughout the plasma, by beta-HFa; further dissemination of these activities is assured by the rapid dissociation of kallikrein itself from the surface.

Activation of protein mediators of inflammation and evidence for endotoxemia in Borrelia recurrentis infection

Fifteen patients with Borrelia recurrentis infection were studied to evaluate the roles of certain plasma proteins and endotoxin in the pathophysiology of both the acute illness and the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction. The causative spirochetes disappeared from the blood during the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction, which occurred about 2 hours after antibiotic therapy. The mean titers of Hageman factor, plasma prekallikrein and serum hemolytic complement activity were decreased at the time of admission and 2 hours after treatment, and rose to normal values during convalescence. Serum properdin titers were decreased in 14 patients at the time of admission, in 12 patients 2 hours after treatment, and in none during convalescence. The frequency of elevated levels of fibrinogen-related antigens increased from three patients at the time of admission to 12 patients 2 hours after treatment. Results of plasma limulus tests for endotoxin-like material were positive in 11 patients at the time of admission and in 13 patients 2 hours after treatment. These findings demonstrated that Hageman factor, prekallikrein and proteins of the complement system are activated in B. recurrentis infection and that endotoxin may play a role in both the acute illness and in the development of the Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction after treatment.

Role of high-molecular-weight kininogen in surface-binding and activation of coagulation Factor XI and prekallikrein.

In the contact phase of activation of the kinin-forming, intrinsic clotting, and fibrinolytic systems, high-molecular-weight kininogen acts as a cofactor for the activation of Factor XI, prekallikrein, and Hageman factor. One mechanism by which high-molecular-weight kininogen acts as a cofactor has been studied by using 125I-labeled Factor XI and prekallikrein in kaolin-activated normal human plasma and plasmas deficient in high-molecular-weight kininogen and Hageman factor. High-molecular-weight kininogen was found to be essential for normal binding and cleavage of both Factor XI and prekallikrein on the kaolin surface. Hageman factor was essential for cleavage but not for binding of Factor XI and prekallikrein to kaolin. In normal plasma 80% of the activated Factor XI remained surface-bound, whereas 80% of the kallikrein was not surface-bound. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that, in the initial phase of contact activation, high-molecular-weight kininogen links both Factor XI and prekallikrein to the exposed surface where they are activated by surface-bound activated Hageman factor. Once activated, the Factor XI molecules remain localized at the site of activation, in contrast to the kallikrein molecules which are found largely in the surrounding plasma.

Activation of bovine factor VII (proconvertin) by factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor).

Bovine factor VII (proconvertin) is a plasma glycoprotein that participates in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. It has a molecular weight of 45 500 and is composed of a single polypeptide chain with an amino-terminal alanine residue. Factor VII is readily converted to factor VIIa by factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor) employing an enzyme to substrate weight ratio of 1:50. Factor VIIa is composed of a light and a heavy chain held together by a disulfide bond(s). The heavy chain, which is formed from the carboxyl-terminal region of the precursor, contains an amino-terminal sequence of Ile-Val-Gly-Gly-. The heavy chain also contains the active-site sequence of -Phe-Cys-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Thr-Asp-Gly-Thr-Lys-Asp-Ala-Cys-Lys-Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Gly-Pro-His-. This sequence is homologous with the active-site region of a number of plasma serine proteases. These data indicate that factor VII is a typical precursor of a serine protease which is converted to an enzyme by factor XIIa by the cleavage of a single, internal peptide bond.

Hageman factor substrates. Human plasma prekallikrein: mechanism of activation by Hageman factor and participation in hageman factor-dependent fibrinolysis.

Two molecular forms of prekallikrein can be isolated from pooled normal human plasma. Their approximate molecular weights by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis are 88,000 and 85,000. The two bands observed are shown to represent prekallikrein by functional, immunochemical, and structural criteria. Both forms are cleaved by activated Hageman factor, they appear to share antigenic determinants, they are not interconvertible upon incubation with activated Hageman factor or kallikrein, and the ratio of kinin-generating, and plasminogen-activating activities of the preparations are independent of the relative proportion of each band. Activated Factor XII converts prekallikrein to kallikrein by limited proteolysis and two disulfide-linked chains designated kallikrein heavy chain (Mr = 52,000) and kallikrein light chains (Mr = 36,000 or 33,000) are formed. The active site is associated with the light chains as assessed by incorporation of [3H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate. No dissociable fragments were observed in the absence of reducing agents. However, kallikrein could digest prekallikrein to diminish its molecular weight by 10,000. In addition, two factors capable of activating plasminogen to plasmin have been isolated; one is identified as kallikrein. The second principle fractionates with Factor XI and is demonstrable in normal and prekallikrein-deficient plasma.

Characterization of bovine factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor).

Factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor) was isolated from bovine plasma by ammonium fractionation followed by heparin-agarose, carboxymethylcellulose, and arginine-agarose column chromatography. It was separated from factor XII in the final step by chromatography on benzamidine-agarose. Factor XIIa has a molecular weight of approximately 74 000 and is composed of a heavy and light chain held together by a disulfide bond(s). The amino-terminal sequence of the heavy chain is Thr-Pro-Pro-Trp--Lys-Gly-Pro-Lys-Lys-His-Lys-Leu- which is the same as the precursor protein. The carobyl-terminal residue in this polypeptide chain is arginine. The amino-terminal sequence of the light chain is Val-Val-Gly-Gly-Leu-Val-Ala-Leu-Pro-Gly-Ala-?-Pro-Tyr-Ile-. This latter sequence is homologous with the amino-terminal sequence of a number of plasma serine proteases when compared with the chain containing the active-site serine residue. These data suggest that factor XII is converted to factor XIIa by the cleavage of a specific internal arginyl-valine peptide bond. Factor XIIa, in contrast to factor XII, has hydrolase activity toward arginine-containing substrates and is readily inhibited by antithrombinIII and diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. The inhibitors, in each case, are bound to the light chain of factor XIIa which contains the active-site serine residue.

Activation and function of human Hageman factor. The role of high molecular weight kininogen and prekallikrein.

The activation and function of surface-bound Hageman factor in human plasma are dependent upon both high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen and prekallikrein. HMW kininogen does not affect the binding of Hageman factor to surfaces, but it enhances the function of surface-bound Hageman factor as assessed by its ability to activate prekallikrein and Factor XI. The initial conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein by the surface-bound Hageman factor in the presence of HMW kininogen is followed by a rapid enzymatic activation of Hageman factor by kallikrein. The latter interaction is also facilitated by HMW kininogen. Kallikrein therefore functions as an activator of Hageman factor by a positive feedback mechanism and generates most of the activated Hageman factor during brief exposure of plasma to activating surfaces. HMW kininogen is a cofactor in the enzymatic activation of Hageman factor by kallikrein and it also augments the function of the activated Hageman factor generated. The stoichiometry of the Hagman factor interaction with HMW kininogen suggests that it enhances the activity of the active site of Hageman factor. Since HMW kininogen and prekallikrein circulate as a complex, HMW kininogen may also place the prekallikrein in an optimal position for its reciprocal interaction with Hageman factor to proceed. The surface appears to play a passive role upon which bound Hageman factor and the prekallikrein-HMW kininogen complex can interact.

Detection by fluorescence of structural changes accompanying the activation of Hageman factor (factor XII).

SummaryThe activation of Hageman factor (factor XII) by ellagic acid may involve a conformational change in which at least some of its hydrophobic regions, previously buried, are exposed to the surrounding environment. The fluorescent probe, l,6-diphenyl-l,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), when added to a solution of ellagic acid-activated Hageman factor, displayed substantially more fluorescence compared to solutions of the probe and the unactivated form of the protein. These studies imply that the hydrophobic regions of activated Hageman factor are exposed in such a way that the DPH probe has easy access to the hy-drophobic environment to which it binds.This work was supported in part by Research Grants HL 15195 and HL 01661 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service, and in part by grants from the American Heart Association and its Northeast Ohio Affiliate. Ms. Janet Shlaes provided invaluable technical help.

The Binding and Cleavage Characteristics of Human Hageman Factor during Contact Activation

The ability of human Hageman factor (coagulation factor XII) to bind to a glass surface and its susceptibility to limited proteolytic cleavage during the contact activation of plasma have been studied using normal human plasma and plasmas genetically deficient in factor XI, prekallikrein, or high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK). When diluted normal plasma containing (125)I-Hageman factor was exposed to a glass surface for varying times, the Hageman factor was found to bind to the surface, and within 5 min became maximally cleaved from its native 80,000 mol wt to yield fragments of 52,000 and 28,000 mol wt. Hageman factor in factor XI-deficient plasma behaved similarly. In prekallikrein-deficient plasma, the binding of Hageman factor to the glass surface occurred at the same rate as in normal plasma but the cleavage was significantly slower, and did not reach maximum until 60 min of incubation. Cleavage of Hageman factor in HMWK-deficient plasma occurred at an even slower rate, with greater than 110 min of incubation required for maximal cleavage, although the rate of binding to the glass was again the same as in normal plasma. Normal rates of cleavage of Hageman factor were observed for the deficient plasmas after reconstitution with purified human prekallikrein or HMWK, respectively. These observations suggest that normal contact activation in plasma is associated with proteolytic activation of surfacebound Hageman factor. The cleavage of the surface-bound Hageman factor molecule responsible for the formation of the 52,000-and 28,000-mol wt fragments occurred at two closely situated sites, one of which was within a disulfide loop. Cleavage at the site external to the disulfide bond resulted in the release from the surface of the 28,000-mol wt fragment. Cleavage at the site within the disulfide loop resulted in the formation of a 28,000-mol wt fragment which remained surface bound, presumably by virtue of the disulfide linkage to the larger fragment.

Hematologic changes following burns

These studies demonstrate statistically significant changes between the platelet counts, FDP and plasminogen levels, and C3 and 5-min kinin activity of three groups separated according to their prognostic indices. Subsequent analysis of survivors confirms these trends and reveals additional supporting test data. We postulate that intravascular contamination occurs following major burns due to tissue trauma, and continues as burn wound sepsis develops. Standard heparin therapy does not significantly inhibit Hageman factor, plasmin, complement, or kinin activation products. It is not surprising that this anticoagulant does not change FDP levels or modify the course of most burns; however, further studies are needed to clarify this situation.

Demonstration and mode of action of an inhibitor for activated Hageman factor (factor XIIa) of the intrinsic blood coagulation pathway from Schistosoma mansoni

An anticoagulant activity from adult Schistosoma mansoni whole worm homogenate is described. The inhibitor appears to be specific for the contact activation step of the intrinsic pathway. Experiments with both human and mouse plasmas have defined the specificity of the inhibitor as follows: (1) It lengthens the partial thromboplastin time of normal plasma. (2) It has no effect on the prothombin time and Russell's viper venom time of normal plasma. (3) Preactivation of normal plasma by a contact activator such as Celite eliminates essentially all inhibitory activity. (4) The inhibitor appears to be heat stable and can be precipitated by centrifugation above 27,000 g. (5) The inhibitor has no effect on the activation of factor XII by Celite. (6) The activation of factor XI by factor XIIa, however, is inhibited by the schistosomal inhibitor. The above data are consistent with the view that S. mansoni adults possess an anticoagulant that is capable of specifically inhibiting the conversion of factor XI to factor XIa by factor XIIa.

Demonstration and Mode of Action of an Inhibitor for Activated Hageman Factor (Factor Xlla) of the Intrinsic Blood Coagulation Pathway From Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract An anticoagulant activity from adult Schistosoma mansoni whole worm homogenate is described. The inhibitor appears to be specific for the contact activation step of the intrinsic pathway. Experiments with both human and mouse plasmas have defined the specificity of the inhibitor as follows: (1) It lengthens the partial thromboplastin time of normal plasma. (2) It has no effect on the prothombin time and Russell's viper venom time of normal plasma. (3) Preactivation of normal plasma by a contact activator such as Celite eliminates essentially all inhibitory activity. (4) The inhibitor appears to be heat stable and can be precipitated by centrifugation above 27,000 g. (5) The inhibitor has no effect on the activation of factor XII by Celite. (6) The activation of factor XI by factor XIIa, however, is inhibited by the schistosomal inhibitor. The above data are consistent with the view that S. mansoni adults possess an anticoagulant that is capable of specifically inhibiting the conversion of factor XI to factor XIa by factor XIIa.

Coagulation factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor) inhibitor from adult Schistosoma mansoni.

An inhibitory activity for the contact phase of the intrinsic coagulation pathway was demonstrated in an extract of adult Schistosoma mansoni. Inhibition is apparently specific for the enzymatic activation of Factor XI (pre-PTA) by Factor XIIa (activated Hageman factor). This phenomenon offers an explanation for the schistosomal evasive mechanism of the host contact hemostatic defense system.

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy during experimental pneumococcal sepsis: studies in normal and asplenic rhesus monkeys.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was induced in both normal and asplenic rhesus monkeys by intravenous challenge with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our observations in the infected monkeys have led us to conclude that (1) pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PCP), immune complexes and complement may not have primary roles in the initiation of DIC; (2) intact pneumococci may be catalysts for the development of DIC; (3) the initial event in DIC may be activation of Hageman factor; and (4) evidence of activation of Hageman factor-dependent systems is present regardless of severity of infection.

Possible physiological role of new peptide fragments released from bovine high molecular weight kininogen by plasma kallikrein

The possibility of a physiological role for two new peptides, Fragment 1.2 and Fragment 2 (histidine-rich peptide), released from bovine plasma high molecular weight (HMW) kininogen by the action of plasma kallikrein was examined. The former peptide, which was liberated at the same rate as bradykinin, and the latter peptide, which was derived from Fragment 1.2 on subsequent incubation with plasma kallikrein, showed negligible kinin-like activities. However, the peptides strongly inhibited kinin formation in bovine plasma exposed to glass ballotini, and prolonged the calcium clotting-time of citrated rat plasma in a manner similar to hexadimethrine bromide. Also, they inhibited the activation of Hageman factor by kaolin. The above three types of experiments showed the potency of Fragment 1.2 to be approximately three times that of Fragment 2 on a molar basis. Neither fragment showed inhibition of already activated Hageman factor, nor of the esterase activities of plasma kallikrein, plasmin and thrombin. These results suggest that liberation of these polypeptides from HMW kininogen represents a negative feedback mechanism for the contact activation of Hageman factor.

The lack of detectable immune complexes in rat anaphylaxis.

Attempts were made to detect soluble immune complexes (IC) in sera of rats submitted to anaphylactic shock 12 days following BPV plus antigen treatment, and their in vitro formation following the addition of specific antigens to sera or heparinized platelet rich plasma of sensitized rats. We failed to detect ICs or IC formation by studying Hageman factor activation and platelet aggregation or by using a very sensitive radio-assay of ICs. It is established that the anaphylactic activation of Hageman factor as well as the aggregation of platelets are not mediated by immune complexes, therefore, other explanations must be found.

Identification of prekallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen as a complex in human plasma.

Prekallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen were found associated in normal human plasma at a molecular weight of 285,000 as assessed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecular weight of prekallikrein in plasma that is deficient in high-molecular-weight kininogen was 115,000. This prekallikrein could be isolated at a molecular weight of 285,000 after plasma deficient in high-molecular-weight kininogen was combined with plasma that is congenitally deficient in prekallikrein. Addition of purified 125I-labeled prekallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen to the respective deficient plasma yielded a shift in the molecular weight of prekallikrein, and complex formation could be demonstrated by incubating prekallikrein with high-molecular weight kininogen. This study demonstrates that prekallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen are physically associated in plasma as a noncovalently linked complex and may therefore be adsorbed together during surface activation of Hageman factor. The complex is disrupted when these proteins are isolated by ion exchange chromatography.

Aromatic Tris-amidines: A new class of highly active inhibitors of Trypsin-like proteases

A number of novel aromatic Tris-amidines have been synthesized and investigated for their antiproteolytic property. The basic structure of the compounds is that of mesitylene where each of the methyl groups has been substituted with a 3- or 4-amidinophenoxy moiety. The compounds displayed considerable activity against trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) and thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5), but proved most effective against porcine pancreatic kallikrein (EC 3.4.21.8). With this enzyme a K i value of 2.43 · 10 −8 M was recorded for α,α′,α″-tris(4amidino-2-bromophenoxy)mesitylene at pH 8.1 and 37°C. The most potent thrombin inhibitor, α,α′,α″-tris(3-amidinophenoxy)mesitylene, had a K i value of 6.51 · 10 −7 M and was also a strong overall anticoagulant. The inhibitors were able to interfere with the kinin release by human plasma kallikrein at concentrations as low as 1 · 10 −10 M. However, despite this remarkable antikallikrein effect and the known importance of plasma kallikrein in the activation of Hageman factor (factor XII), the compounds had only little influence on the early stages of blood coagulation.

Fibrinolysis in Normal Plasma and Blood: Evidence for Significant Mechanisms Independent of the Plasminogen-Plasmin System

Fibrinolytic activity of normal plasma and blood has been measured by 125l-fibrin solid phase assay. Activity of plasma is not affected by removal of plasminogenplasmin by affinity chromatography. Activities of euglobulin and pseudoglobulin fractions are approximately equal. epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) (10 mM), tranexamic acid (10 mM), diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP, 50 mM), and soybean and lima bean trypsin inhibitors (100 mug/ml) do not inhibit plasma activity at concentrations that inhibit pure plasmin and urokinase-activated plasma. Activity is not affected by glass contact and is not inhibited by inhibitors of contact or enzymatic activation of Hageman factor (hexadimethrine bromide, 100 mug/ml; cytochrome C, 250 mug/ml; spermidine, 2 mM; phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, 1 mM). It is inhibited partially (30%-40%) by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min) and by zymosan (2.5 mg/ml; 40%-90% inhibition), and is increased by hydrazine (20 mM), salicylaldoxime (20 mM), DFP (50 mM), and tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAMe, 10 mM)-the latter two at concentrations known to inhibit Cls of the classic, and factor D of the alternate complement pathways. Increase fibrinolytic activity with TAMe is associated with reciprocal decrease in classic and alternate complement pathway activity. It is concluded that normal plasma fibrinolytic activity is relatively independent of plasmin as the ultimate fibrinolytic enzyme, that Hageman factor-dependent pathways are of minor importance, and that significant heat-stable and heat-labile nonplasmin fibrinolytic activities are operative. These may include proteinases involved in complement activation, and in common control of classic and alternate complement pathways, as well as other nonplasmin proteinases.

Fibrinolysis in normal plasma and blood: evidence for significant mechanisms independent of the plasminogen-plasmin system

Fibrinolytic activity of normal plasma and blood has been measured by 125l-fibrin solid phase assay. Activity of plasma is not affected by removal of plasminogenplasmin by affinity chromatography. Activities of euglobulin and pseudoglobulin fractions are approximately equal. epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) (10 mM), tranexamic acid (10 mM), diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP, 50 mM), and soybean and lima bean trypsin inhibitors (100 mug/ml) do not inhibit plasma activity at concentrations that inhibit pure plasmin and urokinase-activated plasma. Activity is not affected by glass contact and is not inhibited by inhibitors of contact or enzymatic activation of Hageman factor (hexadimethrine bromide, 100 mug/ml; cytochrome C, 250 mug/ml; spermidine, 2 mM; phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, 1 mM). It is inhibited partially (30%-40%) by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min) and by zymosan (2.5 mg/ml; 40%-90% inhibition), and is increased by hydrazine (20 mM), salicylaldoxime (20 mM), DFP (50 mM), and tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAMe, 10 mM)-the latter two at concentrations known to inhibit Cls of the classic, and factor D of the alternate complement pathways. Increase fibrinolytic activity with TAMe is associated with reciprocal decrease in classic and alternate complement pathway activity. It is concluded that normal plasma fibrinolytic activity is relatively independent of plasmin as the ultimate fibrinolytic enzyme, that Hageman factor-dependent pathways are of minor importance, and that significant heat-stable and heat-labile nonplasmin fibrinolytic activities are operative. These may include proteinases involved in complement activation, and in common control of classic and alternate complement pathways, as well as other nonplasmin proteinases.