Summary
Using gel chromatography, fibrinogen derivatives present in purified systems or in
biological fluids were separated and partially characterized. Eight groups of fibrinogen
derivatives could be separated by gel filtration through 6% agarose in large columns,
four with an elution volume smaller and four groups with an elution volume larger
than that of fibrinogen. Careful calibration of the column allowed estimation of the
diffusion coefficients of some of the derivatives and, thus, comparison with derivatives
previously identified. Three, rather than two, groups of intermediate derivatives
were observed during the degradation of human fibrinogen by plasmin in vitro or in
vivo. One of these had a marked tendency to polymerize.
A rather distinct difference in elution pattern was found between plasma obtained
during streptokinase administration and from patients with intravascular coagulation.
