Lysis of surface-localized fibrin clots by adsorbed plasminogen in the presence of tissue plasminogen activator

The ability of plasminogen adsorbed from buffer onto sulphonated silica glass or lysine-derivatized silica glass to lyse fibrin I clots has been investigated. Clots were formed around the test surface by adding reptilase to fibrinogen solutions in which the surfaces were immersed. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was then added and the extent of clot lysis was determined by measuring the levels of the specific plasmin cleavage product of fibrinogen, Bβ 1–42 peptide. The data indicate that in the presence of t-PA, Bβ 1–42 generation per mole of bound plasminogen on the lysinized material is approximately two-fold higher than on the sulphonated material. It is concluded that a preformed clot may be lysed by adsorbed plasminogen in the presence of t-PA, and that clot lysis is significantly enhanced when the plasminogen is adsorbed via its lysine binding sites.