Download Fibrinogen Fibrinogen was first isolated from horse plasma by

Fibrinogen
Fibrinogen was first isolated from horse plasma by Hammarsten in 1876, although
an inactive precursor to fibrin was proposed to exist as early as 1859 by Deni de
Commercy.
Fibrinogen is a large, complex glycoprotein composed of three pairs of
polypeptides: two A, two B, and two . These polypeptides are linked together by 29
disulphide bonds. Bound calcium ions are important to help maintain the structure of
fibrinogen.
It is a 340 KDa glycoprotein synthesised in the liver by hepatocytes. It is a
plasma glycoprotein and is essential for haemostasis (stopping blood loss from damaged
tissues), wound healing, fibrinolysis, inflammation, angiogenesis, cellular and matrix
interactions, and neoplasia. These processes involve the conversion of fibrinogen to
fibrin. People usually carry about 2.5g fibrinogen/L of blood, however, concentrations of
fibrogen can increase by as much as 200-400% during times of physiological stress
Mutational changes in any of the three genes (FGA, FGB, and FGG) that encode
the three fibrinogen polypeptides (Aa, Bb and g) can result in structural changes in
fibrinogen that can affect its properties, such as its ability to form clots.
Dysfibrinogenaemia can lead to abnormal clotting, increased bleeding and wound
splitting.
The pathogenic bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae is responsible for causing
pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis in newborns, as well as cellulitis, arthritis, urinary tract
infections, and endocarditis in immune-compromised adults. These bacteria carry a
receptor, FbsA, which is capable of binding to fibrinogen.
Atherosclerosis is the clogging, narrowing and hardening of the arteries, which
can lead to stroke, heart attack, eye problems and kidney problems. Atherosclerosis is
characterised by the deposition of plaques, which consist of hydrophobic lipids,
macrophages, smooth muscle cells and proteins beneath the endothelial lining of large
arteries. Plaques also appear to contain fibrin and its degradation products, which may be
involved in the growth and development of plaques, possibly through its role in
inflammation. As a result, high levels of blood fibrinogen may be a risk factor for
atherosclerosis.
Fibrinogen molecule.