Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Experimental and Imaging Techniques for Examining Fibrin Clot Structures in Normal and Diseased States
Published on: April 1, 2015
Antimicrobial activity of fibrinogen and fibrinogen-derived peptides--a novel link between coagulation and innate
L I Påhlman1, M Mörgelin, G Kasetty
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Division of Infection Medicine, Lund University, Tornavägen 10, Lund, Sweden. Lisa.Pahlman@med.lu.se
Abstract:
Fibrinogen is a key player in the blood coagulation system, and is upon activation with thrombin converted into fibrin that subsequently forms a fibrin clot. In the present study, we investigated the role of fibrinogen in the early innate immune response. Here we show that the viability of fibrinogen-binding bacteria is affected in human plasma activated with thrombin. Moreover, we found that the peptide fragment GHR28 released from the β-chain of fibrinogen has antimicrobial activity against bacteria that bind fibrinogen to their surface, whereas non-binding strains are unaffected. Notably, bacterial killing was detected in Group A Streptococcus bacteria entrapped in a fibrin clot, suggesting that fibrinogen and coagulation is involved in the early innate immune system to quickly wall off and neutralise invading pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
Antimicrobial Proteins
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Complement System

