Biochemical and functional characteristics of fibrinogen interaction with endothelial cells.

Several observations indicate that endothelial cells interact with fibrinogen, fibrin, and their derivative products. The main biological function of fibrinogen on endothelial cells so far identified is its ability to promote adhesion, motility, and cytoskeletal organization of these cells. In other words, when fibrinogen is bound to a substratum, it behaves as a matrix protein like fibronectin, collagen, or vitronectin. Fibrinogen specifically binds to endothelial cells with low affinity and with a high number of binding sites. In addition, the putative fibrinogen receptor in endothelial cells appears to be related to the other extracellular matrix protein receptors.