New insights into the spatiotemporal localization of prothrombinase in vivo

The membrane-dependent interaction of factor Xa (FXa) with factor Va (FVa) forms prothrombinase and drives thrombin formation essential for hemostasis. Activated platelets are considered to provide the primary biological surface to support prothrombinase function. However, the question of how other cell types may cooperate within the biological milieu to affect hemostatic plug formation remains unaddressed. We used confocal fluorescence microscopy to image the distribution of site-specific fluorescent derivatives of FVa and FXa after laser injury in the mouse cremaster arteriole. These proteins bound to the injury site extend beyond the platelet mass to the surrounding endothelium. Although bound FVa and FXa may have been present on the platelet core at the nidus of the injury, bound proteins were not evident on platelets adherent even a small distance from the injury site. Manipulations to drastically reduce adherent platelets yielded a surprisingly modest decrease in bound FXa and FVa with little impact on fibrin formation. Thus, platelets adherent to the site of vascular injury do not play the presumed preeminent role in supporting prothrombinase assembly and thrombin formation. Rather, the damaged/activated endothelium and possibly other blood cells play an unexpectedly important role in providing a procoagulant membrane surface in vivo.