A unique pathway for the plasma elimination of alpha 2-antiplasmin-protease complexes in mice.

Radiolabeled alpha 2-antiplasmin cleared slowly from the circulation of mice. Complex formation with either plasmin or trypsin resulted in a significant increase in the plasma elimination rate of the protease inhibitor. Approximately 20 min and 14 min were required for 50% of the injected alpha 2-antiplasmin-plasmin and alpha 2-antiplasmin-trypsin to clear from the circulation, respectively. Significant competition was observed when radiolabeled alpha 2-antiplasmin-plasmin was cleared in the presence of a large molar excess of unlabeled alpha 2-antiplasmin-plasmin. alpha 1-Antitrypsin-trypsin failed to complete with radiolabeled alpha 2-antiplasmin-plasmin even when present at 2000 fold molar excess. Organ distribution studies localized the major site of alpha 2-antiplasmin-plasmin clearance in the liver. Microscopic autoradiography data suggested that the cell responsible for the clearance pathway was the hepatocyte.

Duke Scholars

Author Herbert Edgar Fuchs Neurosurgery

Author Salvatore Vincent Pizzo Pathology