Fibrinogen degradation product fragment D increases endothelial monolayer permeability

We assessed the effects of the two primary high-molecular-weight fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), fragments D and E, on the pulmonary vascular endothelial barrier function. Fragments D and E were purified to homogeneity by QAE Sephadex chromatography followed by gel filtration. Incubation of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers with 0.5-2.0 microM fragment D for 2 h caused a doubling of transendothelial 125I-albumin clearance rate (a measure of 125I-albumin permeability). Fragment E only produced a 0.6-fold increase in 125I-albumin clearance rate at concentration of 4.0 microM. Both FDP remained active in incubating media with serum. The permeability-increasing effect of fragment D was reversible and was not due to cell detachment or lysis. The fragment-D effect was time dependent and was associated with redistribution of endothelial F-actin microfilaments. The effect was independent of the carboxy-terminal sequence on gamma-chain of fragment D. Fragments D and E binding to pulmonary artery endothelial cells was specific and reversible, but fragment D binding was three-fold greater than fragment E, which may account for the greater permeability increase mediated by fragment D. The results indicate that FDP, especially fragment D, increase endothelial permeability to albumin. The response involves specific binding of fragment D to endothelial cells and redistribution of intracellular actin.