This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Retzinger, G. S. Articles by Patuto, S. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Retzinger, G. S. Articles by Patuto, S. J.

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1998;18:1948-1957.)
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Adsorption of Fibrinogen to Droplets of Liquid Hydrophobic Phases

Functionality of the Bound Protein and Biological Implications

Gregory S. Retzinger; Ashley P. DeAnglis; Samantha J. Patuto

From the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Correspondence to Gregory S. Retzinger, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati OH 45267-0529.

Abstract—Fibrinogen adsorbs spontaneously from aqueous media containing that protein to droplets of liquid hydrophobic phases dispersed in those same media. Examples of such phases include mineral oils, straight-chain hydrocarbons, and various plant- and animal-derived oils. Lecithin preexisting on the surface of oil droplets reduces significantly the amount of fibrinogen that can otherwise bind to them. When bound, fibrinogen remains active in the classic sense of fibrin gelation. As a consequence, oil droplets coated with fibrinogen can participate in a host of biologically important adhesive processes in which the protein would be expected to participate. Certain polyanions, eg, heparin, pentosan polysulfate, dextran sulfate, and suramin, bind to adsorbed fibrin(ogen) and prevent thrombin-dependent adhesion of fibrinogen-coated surfaces. Thus, these polyanions can be used to prevent adhesion between fibrin(ogen)-coated oil droplets and other fibrin(ogen)-coated surfaces. Potential practical applications and biological implications of these phenomena are presented and discussed.

Key Words: fibrinogen • atherosclerosis • oils • polyanions • drug delivery

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. M. Einhaus, A. C. Retzinger, A. O. Perrotta, M. D. Dentler, A. S. Jakate, P. B. Desai, and G. S. Retzinger Fibrinogen-Coated Droplets of Olive Oil for Delivery of Docetaxel to a Fibrin(ogen)-Rich Ascites Form of a Murine Mammary Tumor Clin. Cancer Res., October 15, 2004; 10(20): 7001 - 7010. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. S. Jakate, C. M. Einhaus, A. P. DeAnglis, G. S. Retzinger, and P. B. Desai Preparation, Characterization, and Preliminary Application of Fibrinogen-Coated Olive Oil Droplets for the Targeted Delivery of Docetaxel to Solid Malignancies Cancer Res., November 1, 2003; 63(21): 7314 - 7320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. H Reinhart Fibrinogen - marker or mediator of vascular disease? Vascular Medicine, August 1, 2003; 8(3): 211 - 216. [Abstract] [PDF]