<b>CROSS-LINKING OF FIBRIN BY ACTIVATED FACTOR XIII STIMULATES ATTACHMENT, MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND PROLIFERATION OF </b><b>FIBROBLASTS </b>

Abstract

The response of fibroblasts to the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin was investigated to clarify the relationship between the conversion and wound healing. The formation of fibrin by thrombin little affected fibroblast attachment and morphology. In contrast cells rapidly attached and subsequently spread on fibrin cross-linked by activated Factor XIII. The introduction of cross-linking also stimulated cell proliferation. However neither enzyme had much effect on cellular behavior. These results indicate that the introduction of cross-linking by activated Factor XIII directly promotes the cellular responses, and suggest that the formation of fibrin stabilized by cross-linking plays a significant role not only in stoppage of blood flow but also in subsequent migration and proliferation of fibroblasts.