Development of antibodies to disrupt FXIII/fibrinogen interactions for venous thrombosis prevention

Kadri Kangro, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.

Plasma coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is composed of two A and two B subunits forming a heterotetrameric zymogen (FXIII-A2B2). Crosslinking of fibrin by FXIIIa increases clot mechanical stability and prevents against premature fibrinolysis. FXIII circulates in complex with the precursor of fibrin, fibrinogen. Kadri Kangro, Ph.D., and his team are developing antibodies that disrupt FXIII binding to fibrinogen as a preventive strategy for venous thrombosis by delaying FXIII activation and reducing clot mass.