Beta2-glycoprotein I, anti-beta2-glycoprotein I, and fibrinolysis

Beta2-glycoprotein-I (beta2GPI) is a phospholipid-binding plasma protein that consists of five homologous domains. Domain V is distinguished from others by bearing a positively charged lysine cluster and hydrophobic extra C-terminal loop. Beta2GPI has been known as a natural anticoagulant regulator. Beta2GPI exerts anticoagulant activity by inhibition of phospholipid-dependent coagulation reactions such as prothrombinase, tenase, and factor XII activation. It also binds factor XI and inhibits its activation. On the other hand, beta2GPI inhibits anticoagulant activity of activated protein C. According to the data from knockout mice, beta2GPI may contribute to thrombin generation in vivo. Phospholipid-bound beta2GPI is one of the major target antigens for antiphospholipid antibodies present in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Binding of pathogenic anti-beta2GPI antibodies increases the affinity of beta2GPI to the cell surface and disrupts the coagulation/fibrinolysis balance on the cell surface. These pathogenic antibodies activate endothelial cells via signal transduction events in the presence of beta2GPI. Impaired fibrinolysis has been reported in patients with APS. Using a newly developed chromogenic assay, we demonstrated lower activity of intrinsic fibrinolysis in euglobulin fractions from APS patients. Addition of monoclonal anti-beta2GPI antibodies with beta2GPI also decreased fibrinolytic activity in this assay system. beta2GPI is proteolytically cleaved by plasmin in domain V (nicked beta2GPI) and becomes unable to bind to phospholipids, reducing antigenicity against antiphospholipid antibodies. This cleavage occurs in patients with increased fibrinolysis turnover. Nicked beta2GPI binds to plasminogen and suppresses plasmin generation in the presence of fibrin, plasminogen, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Thus, nicked beta2GPI plays a role in the extrinsic fibrinolysis via a negative feedback pathway loop.