Fibrin Formation and Degradation

Abstract

Fibrinogen conversion to fibrin is a physiological process leading to haemostasis. Fibrinogen is cleaved by the serine protease thrombin to the fibrin monomer, which interacts with other fibrin monomers to produce protofibrils, which in turn spontaneously interact to form fibres. Fibrin formation activates specific proteases, which cleave plasminogen to plasmin. Plasmin degrades the fibrin network and disintegrates the haemostatic plug. The processes are regulated and are not yet fully clarified. This review brings an insight into these physiological processes.