Contradictory functions of sulfatide in the blood coagulation system as coagulant and anticoagulant.

Abstract

Sulfatide (galactosylceramide I3 -sulfate) has been reported to activate blood coagulation factor XII (Hageman factor), which suggests that it exhibits coagulant activity (Fujikama et al., 1980 Biochemistry 19, 1322-1330) However, sulfatide administered into animals as a bolus shot without subsequent thrombus formation, prolonged conventional clotting times and bleeding time (Hara et al., 1996 Glycoconjugate J. 13, 187-194). These findings suggest that it may exhibit anticoagulant rather than coagulant activity. Following this suggestion we found in vitro that binding of sulfatide to fibrinogen resulted in disturbance of fibrin formation. To examine a possible pharmacological effect of sulfatide on blood coagulation in vivo we continuously infused sulfatide into rats through plastic cannulae and found formation of giant thrombi around the tips of the cannulae. These data suggest that sulfatide may exhibit contradictory functions in the blood coagulation system.