Biorelevant polyanions stabilize fibrin against mechanical and proteolytic decomposition: Effects of polymer size and electric charge

The release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) containing DNA and histones is an essential mechanism in the neutrophil-mediated innate immunity. In thrombi the polyanionic DNA confers mechanical and lytic resistance to fibrin and heparins interfere with the effects of NET components. Heparins are polyanions used not only as therapeutic agents, but they are also released by mast cells at entry sites of pathogens. Platelets and microorganisms release a different type of polyanions (polyphosphates) of various size (in the range 60–1000 phosphate monomers). With the current study we aimed to evaluate if the stability of fibrin is influenced by the type of polyanion, its molecular size or relative electric charge.