THE ROLE OF FIBRONECTIN IN MACROPHAGE FIBRIN BINDING - A POTENTIAL MECHANISM FOR HIGH-AFFINITY, HIGH-CAPACITY CLEARANCE OF CIRCULATING FIBRIN

Fibrin generation occurs as the result of a wide variety of pathologic al conditions. Extraneous deposition of fibrin outside a wound or infl ammatory locus can lead to severe circulatory and respiratory complica tions. Fibrin within the circulation is removed by the hepatic macroph age (Kupffer cell). While many mechanisms for macrophage fibrin bindin g have been delineated in vitro, the complete pathway for in vivo fibr in clearance has not been determined. This article reviews these varie d mechanisms and describes in detail a novel potential fibronectin-dep endent pathway for hepatic fibrin clearance.