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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
06:27
Analysis of β-Amyloid-induced Abnormalities on Fibrin Clot Structure by Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: November 30, 2018
Surface cues shape procoagulant properties of amyloidogenic microclots
Etheresia Pretorius1,2, Chantelle Venter3, Massimo Nunes4
1Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. resiap@sun.ac.za.
Cell Death & Disease
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Cell membranes orchestrate thrombo-inflammation through protein misfolding and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. New research identifies fibrinaloid microclot complexes (FMCs) as key drivers of vascular pathology in inflammatory syndromes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Vascular homeostasis relies on membrane integrity, glycocalyx, and receptor regulation.
- Inflammation and cell death disrupt membrane asymmetry, exposing procoagulant surfaces.
- Protein misfolding and damage to glycosaminoglycans contribute to thrombo-inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interconnectedness of hypercoagulability, immunothrombosis, and protein misfolding.
- To introduce fibrinaloid microclot complexes (FMCs) as a novel concept in vascular pathology.
- To elucidate the role of FMCs in inflammatory and post-viral syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cell membranes, coagulation, and protein misfolding.
- Analysis of how cellular debris, microparticles, and immune complexes form FMCs.
- Characterization of FMCs, including their β-sheet-rich features and resistance to fibrinolysis.
Main Results:
- Cellular damage exposes phosphatidylserine (PS) and amyloidogenic surfaces, promoting coagulation.
- Fibrinogen interacts with various factors to form circulating fibrinaloid microclot complexes (FMCs).
- FMCs exhibit distinct properties, including resistance to fibrinolysis, implicating them in disease.
Conclusions:
- FMCs represent a convergence of membrane damage, protein misfolding, and coagulation.
- Understanding FMCs offers new insights into the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory diseases.
- FMCs provide a framework for comprehending pathological clotting in inflammatory and post-infectious vascular syndromes.
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