Abstract
Fibrin is a major component of many atherosclerotic plaques. Within the intima there is continuous formation of fibrin, and continuous fibrinolysis. In aortic lesions, a lipoprotein bound to fibrin can be released by incubation with plasmin. Most of this lipoprotein is accounted for by Lp(a). The atherogenicity of Lp(a) may be more associated with lipid deposition than with inhibition of fibrinolysis. Fibrin degradation products may be chemotactic to monocyte-macrophages and stimulate smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
EatonD.L.,FlessG.M.,Kohr W.J. et al (1987): Partial amino acid sequence of apolipoprotein(a) shows that it is homologous to plasminogen - Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci - USA84: 3224–3228.
MeadeT.W.,BrozovicM.,Chakrabarti R.R. et al. (1986): Haemostatic function and ischaemic heart disease: principal results of the Northwick Park heart study - Lancetii: 533–537.
SmithE.B. (1986): Fibrinogen, fibrin and fibrin degradation products in relation to atherosclerosis -Clin. Hematol.15, N° 2: 355–370.
SmithE.B.,AlexanderK.M. andMassieL.B. (1976): Insoluble “fibrin” in human aortic intima. Quantitative studies on the relationship between insoluble “fibrin”, soluble fibrinogen and LD-lipoprotein- Atherosclerosis23: 19–39.
SmithE.B. andAshallC. (1985): Fibrinolysis and plasminogen concentration in aortic intima in relation to death following myocardial infarction -Atherosclerosis55: 171–186.
SmithE.B. andCochranS. (1990): Factors influencing the accumulation in fibrous plaques of lipid derived form low density lipoprotein -Part II Preferential immobilization of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) -Atherosclerosis84: 173–181.
SmithE.B.,KeenG.A. andGrantA. (1990): Factors influencing the accumulation in fibrous plaques of lipid derived from low density lipoprotein - Part 1 Relation between fibrin and immobilization of apoB-containing lipoprotein - Atherosclerosis84: 165–171.
SmithE.B.,KeenG.A.,GrantA. andStirkC. (1990): Fate of fibrinogen in human arterial intima -Arteriosclerosis10: 263–275.
SmithE.B.,MassieI.B. andAlexanderK.M. (1976): The release of an immobilized lipoprotein fraction from atherosclerotic lesions by incubation with plasmin - Atherosclerosis25: 71–84.
SmithE.B. andStaplesE.M. (1981): Haemostatic factors in human aortic intima - Lanceti: 171–1174.
ThompsonW.D.,McGuiganC.J.,SnyderC.KeenG.A. andSmithE.B. (1987): Mitogenic activity in human atherosclerotic lesions - Atherosclerosis66: 85–93.
ThompsonW.D.andSmithE.B. (1989): Atherosclerosis and the coagulation system - J. Pathol.159: 97–106.
ThompsonW.D.,SmithE.B.,StirkC.M. andKocharA. (1990): Atherosclerotic plaque growth: presence of stimulatory fibrin degradation products (FDP) -Blood Coag & Fibrinolysis1: 489–493.
ThompsonW.D.,SmithE.B.,StirkC.M.,StoutA.J. andKocharA. (1990): Factors relevant to stimulatory activity of fibrin degradation productsin vivo - Blood Coag & Fibrinolysis1: 517–520.
WilhelmsenL.,SvardsuddK.,Korsan-Bengsten K. et al. (1984): Fibrinogen as a risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction - N. Engl. J. Med.311: 501–505.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, E.B., Thompson, W.D., Crosbie, L. et al. Fibrinogen/fibrin in atherogenesis. Eur J Epidemiol 8 (Suppl 1), 83–87 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145356
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145356