Fibrin(ogen)-related antigens in rabbits experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

We investigated fibrin(ogen)-related antigens in liver tissues of rabbits infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus. Fibrin(ogen)-related antigens were detected in the sinusoids of liver at six hours post infection (pi). At 18 hours pi, the antigens were clearly detected in the hepatocytes infiltrated with heterophils rather than in the sinusoid. In the rabbits that spontaneously died (30 hours pi), fibrin(ogen)-related antigens were detected in both degenerating and some intact hepatocytes. They were also expressed in the necrotic foci of hepatocytes infiltrated by heterophils. By immunoprecipitation fibrin(ogen)-related antigens were extracted from the infected liver homogenates and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. There was an increase in fibrinogen and A alpha polypeptide chains in the liver homogenates from rabbits sacrificed at 18 and 24 hours pi, including those that died. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed after progress of degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes in RHD. It is assumed that the resultant consumption of fibrinogen triggers replenishment of fibrinogen by hepatocytes.