Fibrin gels as biological filters and interfaces

Abstract

We present data which show that fibrin gels are ordered network structures, the porosity of which is determined by the amount of thrombin being present during the activation step preceding gelation. On activation of fibrinogen, fibrinopeptides are released and simultaneously polymers are formed, obeying apparent first order kinetics. The pore size of the network is inversely related to the rate of polymer formation. It is proposed that at the time of gelation the polymers form an ordered lattice structure, which in the organism may serve as a biological interface.