Mediators of inflammation in leukocyte lysosomes. VI. Partial purification and characterization of a mast cell-rupturing component.

The mast cell-rupturing component present in the lysosomes of rabbit exudate PMN neutrophil leukocytes has been identified and some of its physical and chemical properties have been described. The active agent is a low molecular weight (1200 to 2400) polypeptide containing a relatively large proportion of the basic amino acid, arginine. It is thermostable and dialyzable, and does not cause contraction of the isolated guinea pig ileum. The mast cell-rupturing activity of the agent is destroyed by trypsin. A second permeability factor with a larger molecular weight is present in crude extracts of PMN granules. Although this substance does not lyse mast cells, it is capable of evoking delayed permeability responses in rabbit skin.

Effects of autoprothrombin II-A on epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation of normal- and coumadin-treated dogs.

Platelet-rich plasma from dogs and from coumadin-treated dogs aggregated at the same optimum concentration of epinephrine. Neither protein C nor its active form called autoprothrombin II-A was necessary for aggregation of dog platelets with epinephrine. For platelet aggregation, suboptimal concentrations of epinephrine were potentiated by addition of purified autoprothrombin II-A. The latter, by itself, induced platelet aggregation in high concentration.

Antithrombin III. Theory and clinical applications. H. P. Smith Memorial Lecture.

Antithrombin III is one of the main inhibitors in the blood coagulation mechanisms. Thrombin and factor Xa are slowly inactivated by it, as well as other serine proteinases of the coagulation mechanisms. Heparin tremendously accelerates the inhibitory function of antithrombin III. In the process antithrombin III activity is also reduced. Heparin retards the thrombin-fibrinogen reaction, but otherwise the effectiveness of heparin as an anticoagulant depends on antithrombin III in laboratory experiments, as well as in therapeutics. The activation of prothrombin is inhibited, and any thrombin or other vulnerable protease that might generate becomes inactivated. The measurement of antithrombin III concentration in blood is now achieved by research methods, as well as by methods that are practical for routine use. The tests require either thrombin or factor Xa as substrate, and could be specific for antithrombin III. There are congenital as well as acquired deficiencies of antithrombin III. The inhibitor is also found in tissues.

Antithrombin III: a backward glance o'er travel'd roads.

By devising and applying quantitative methods for the assay of thrombin and autoprothrombin C and by developing techniques for their purification, it was possible to obtain information about the function and properties of antithrombin. The inhibitor is a protein for which the initial purification steps consist of removing fibrinogen from plasma by heating to 56 degrees for 3 min, removing prothrombin complex by absorption on barium carbonate, absorbing the antithrombin on aluminum hydroxide, and eluting with phosphate buffer. Antithrombin is limited in its capacity to neutralize thrombin activity, and, under some conditions, the rate of inhibition was accelerated, but equivocal results were involved. Heparin cofactor was found to be essential for retarding the formation of thrombin, and, by inference, it is essential for retarding the formation of autoprothrombin C. Heparin cofactor and antithrombin III are the same. Thrombin absorbs on fibrin, and this has been referred to as the "antithrombin I effect." Interference with the thrombin-fibrinogen reaction by mixtures of antithrombin III and heparin is called the "antithrombin II henomenon." The acceleration of thrombin inactivation at the time thrombin forms is called the "antithrombin IV effect." It was discovered that antithrombin III neutralizes thrombin, as well as autoprothrombin C. The inhibitor and the enzyme form a mutual depletion system. To assay for antithrombin III, a standard quantity of thrombin (about 1,100U/ml) was reacted with antithrombin III for 2 hr. The percent thrombin inactivated was then measured. In random samples of human blood, a wide range of antithrombin III concentration was found. The inhibitor is relatively stable in plasma and serum. It is not changed in concentration when Dicumarol therapy is instituted. Ether extraction of plasma reduces antithrombin III activity. Seitz filtration of plasma did not remove activity. Under special conditions, antithrombin III enhances esterase activity of thrombin. Under special conditions, thrombin regenerates from the thrombin-antithrombin III complex. Antithrombin III neutralizes the activity of prethrombin-E and thrombin-E; consequently, an active histidine center found in the B1 chain of thrombin is not essential for the binding of antithrombin. Autoprothrombin II-A activity was neutralized by antithrombin III. Autoprothrombin C was found to be neutralized by antithrombin III; the amounts required varied with the molecular forms of autoprothrombin C. Thrombin and autoprothrombin C apparently occupy the same binding sites on antithrombin III. An equation was developed to account for all the known characteristics of antithrombin III functions. The kinetic aspects of thrombin neutralization were found to correspond exactly with those of autoprothrombin C. Antithrombin III is a high-capacity inhibitor of the two most powerful enzymes in blood coagulation.