Thromb Haemost 2000; 83(02): 297-303
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613802
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Characterization of Mouse Thrombin-activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor

Pauline F. Marx
1   From the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, Department of Haematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht
2   Institute for Biomembranes, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Gerry T. M. Wagenaar
1   From the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, Department of Haematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht
2   Institute for Biomembranes, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Arie Reijerkerk
3   Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Margriet J. Tiekstra
1   From the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, Department of Haematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht
2   Institute for Biomembranes, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Agnes G. S. H. van Rossum
1   From the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, Department of Haematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht
2   Institute for Biomembranes, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Martijn F. B. G. Gebbink
3   Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
Joost C. M. Meijers
1   From the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, Department of Haematology, University Medical Center, Utrecht
2   Institute for Biomembranes, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations

This study was supported in part by grant 98.061 from the Netherlands Heart Foundation and a grant from the Fischer Foundation. MFBGG was supported by the Dutch Cancer Society. JCMM is an Established Investigator of the Netherlands Heart Foundation (Grant D96.021).
Further Information

Publication History

Received 22 July 1999

Accepted 15 October 1999

Publication Date:
11 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Based on in vitro studies, thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) has been hypothesized as a link between coagulation and fibrinolysis, but the physiological role of TAFI in vivo has not yet been established. To anticipate on the availability of genetically modified mouse models, we studied the endogenous expression of TAFI in mice. Functional TAFI was found in mouse plasma. TAFI mRNA was only detectable in the liver, showing a hepatocyte-specific expression with a pericentral lobular distribution pattern. The murine TAFI cDNA was cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that murine TAFI is highly identical to human TAFI. The murine cDNA was stably expressed and the activated recombinant protein was functionally active; it converted the substrate hippuryl-arginine, and prolonged the clot lysis time of TAFI depleted plasma. We conclude that mice have functional TAFI in plasma, which is highly similar to human TAFI. Therefore, genetically modified mice may provide useful models to study the role of TAFI in vivo.

Abbreviations: TAFI, thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor; CPI, carboxypeptidase inhibitor from potato tubers; CPN, carboxypeptidase N; t-PA, tissue-type plasminogen activator; PPACK, H-D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethylketone.