Related Concept Videos
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...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
Coagulation
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Management of anticoagulation and factor XIII replacement in a patient with severe factor XIII deficiency and recurrent venous thromboembolic disease: case report and review of literature.
Plasma levels of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine proteases are increased in type 1 diabetes patients with insulin resistance.
Complement inhibition can decrease the haemostatic response in a microvascular bleeding model at multiple levels.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Helical Organization of Blood Coagulation Factor VIII on Lipid Nanotubes
Published on: June 3, 2014
Factor XIII: Structure and Function.
Verena Schroeder1, Hans P Kohler1
1Experimental Haemostasis Research Group, Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Factor XIII (FXIII) plays roles beyond blood clotting, impacting bone biology, immunity, and fat cell development. Recent research clarifies its structure and diverse cellular functions, though more study is needed.
More Related Videos
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Factor XIII (FXIII) is recognized for its role in clot stabilization.
- Emerging evidence highlights FXIII's involvement in non-hemostatic processes.
- Understanding FXIII's structure-function relationship is crucial for elucidating its diverse roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the structure and function of Factor XIII (FXIII).
- To explore FXIII's involvement in bone biology, immunity, and adipogenesis.
- To identify areas requiring further investigation regarding FXIII's cellular functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on FXIII structure and function.
- Analysis of findings related to FXIII subunit interactions and domain functions.
- Examination of experimental data on FXIII's role in cellular processes.
Main Results:
- Recent structural studies elucidate FXIII subunit assembly, highlighting the role of the activation peptide in FXIII-A2 dimer formation and Sushi domains in B subunit interactions.
- FXIII interactions with immune cells and the complement system are described.
- A novel function of FXIII-A in adipogenesis is suggested, while its role in osteoblast differentiation requires further clarification, as indicated by knockout mouse studies.
Conclusions:
- FXIII possesses diverse functions extending beyond hemostasis.
- Further research into the specific cellular roles of FXIII-A is necessary.
- The structural insights provide a foundation for understanding FXIII's multifaceted biological activities.

