3). In contrast, the FIB-γ blot of livers undergoing hepatocyte apoptosis showed two major bands (100 kDa and 250 kDa) that are present only in the total liver homogenate and are markedly enriched in the pellet fraction but not in the soluble selleck chemical TX-100 or high salt fractions (Fig. 3). Taken together, these findings indicate that FIB-γ dimerizes

and becomes insoluble upon FasL-mediated liver injury. The above findings led us to hypothesize that FIB-γ shifts its location from plasma to the liver upon apoptotic injury. We tested this hypothesis by comparing serum, plasma, and liver FIB-γ levels before and after exposure to FasL. The FIB-γ 100 kDa dimer was detected in FasL-treated mouse serum but not in plasma, whereas this dimer and other high molecular weight (HMW) products were readily observed in the liver lysates (Fig. 4A). A separate analysis comparing the FIB-γ dimer and higher complexes in the clot from whole blood versus intact liver (boxed panels in Fig. 4B) shows a clear and marked shift from the clot to the liver. Therefore, the FIB-γ dimer and its HMW complexes accumulate

in the liver after FasL-mediated liver injury, which is consistent find more with intrahepatic IC. The intrahepatic IC is also supported by the increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in plasma and liver upon FasL-mediated liver injury, with concurrent increase in tissue factor levels in plasma (Supporting Fig. 1). The extensive intravascular coagulation within liver parenchyma after FasL-induced hepatocyte

apoptosis raised the hypothesis that anticoagulation using heparin may provide a protective effect. For this, we first defined a period whereby heparin is administered and maintains its anticoagulant effect prior to injecting FasL. Using a dose range of 10-100 U per mouse, we found that 20 U per mouse provided anticoagulation that is similar to the higher tested doses (based on elevation of plasma fibrinogen levels without leading to significant hematoma formation, not shown). Based on this dosing regimen, heparin was administered subcutaneously followed 4 hours later by FasL administration. The extent of injury in these mice was then compared with mice given FasL alone (Fig. 5). Histological analysis of the livers showed a dramatic decrease in the extent see more of hemorrhage in mice that were given heparin (Fig. 5A, Supporting Fig. 2). Heparin pretreatment also resulted in a dramatic decrease in TUNEL staining (Fig. 5A). These findings were supported by significantly reduced serum ALT levels (4.8-fold) and lower liver apoptotic cell number in the heparin-pretreated mice (Fig. 5B,C). In addition, biochemical analysis showed that the activation of caspases 3 and 7 and formation of the K18 apoptotic fragment were markedly blunted in mice that received heparin (Fig. 5D). These biochemical changes also paralleled the detection of the FIB-γ dimer (Fig. 5D).