Abstract

It has been known for a long time that blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is essential for maintaining haemostasis, its deficiency leads to severe bleeding complication. Biochemical studies have revealed that FXIII is a key regulator of fibrinolysis and, in addition to its role in haemostasis, it has also been implicated in the pathology of arterial and venous thrombosis. Most recently, the polymorphisms in the FXIII subunit genes and their influence on the risk of thrombotic diseases have stirred a lot of interest. This review, besides including the basic biochemistry of FXIII, mainly concentrates on the biochemical and clinical aspects of the involvement of FXIII in fibrinolysis and thrombosis. Biochemical aspects: Basics on the structure and activation of plasma and cellular FXIII. The enzymological features of activated FXIII and its main substrates. The interaction of FXIIIa with fibrinogen/fibrin and with components of the fibrinolytic system. The impact of cross-linked fibrin clot formation on the fibrinolytic processes. The down-regulation of FXIIIa within the fibrin clot. FXIII polymorphisms and their biochemical consequences. Clinical Aspects: FXIII level and the risk of arterial thrombosis (coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, ischemic stroke). The effect of FXIII subunit polymorphisms on the risk of arterial thrombotic diseases. The interplay between FXIII polymorphisms and other factors influencing the risk of arterial thrombosis. FXIII and venous thromboembolism.

Keywords: Arterial thrombosis, coronary artery disease, factor XIII, factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism, fibrinolysis, peripheral artery disease, stroke, venous thomboembolia