Functional characterization of platelet-bound factor XIa: retention of factor XIa activity on the platelet surface

Previously we have shown that both factor XI and factor XIa are bound specifically to distinct, high-affinity sites on the surface of activated platelets in the presence of high Mr kininogen. To determine the functional significance of factor XIa binding to platelets, bound factor XIa has now been compared with the unbound enzyme. Platelets incubated with thrombin, high Mr kininogen, and 125I-labeled factor XIa bound 130 to 500 molecules of factor XIa per platelet. Scatchard analysis of binding data give a dissociation constant (Kd) of 822 pmol/L +/- 140 (SEM). Rates of factor IX activation, assayed by release of trichloroacetic acid-soluble 3H-labeled activation peptide from purified [3H]-factor IX, were similar when factor XIa was bound to platelets and when it was free in solution. The platelet-bound factor XIa was isolated by centrifugation through 20% sucrose and was functionally characterized both in a factor XIa coagulation assay and in the factor IX activation peptide release assay in comparison with unbound factor XIa in the presence of treated platelets. The functional activity of platelet-bound factor XIa as a factor IX activator as well as its structural integrity were shown to be fully retained on the platelet surface. Since platelets bind factor XI and promote its proteolytic activation to factor XIa, factor XIa binding to platelets may serve to localize factor IX activation to the hemostatic plug, where factor XIa is protected from inactivation by plasma protease inhibitors and where acceleration of subsequent coagulation reactions can occur.