Initiation of contact activation by sulfatides.

Low amount of sulfatides initiated intrinsic coagulation and the appearance of kallikrein activity in normal human plasma. The initiation of procoagulant and kallikrein amidolytic activity was dependent on the presence of Factorr XII, high molecular weight kininogen and prekallikrein. Because the activated partial thromboplastin clotting times in prekallikrein deficient plasma approach normal values upon prolonged incubation with kaolin, this phenomenon was studied and found to be even more pronounced in the presence of sulfatides. Shortening of the clotting time was essentially completed in 5 min in the presence of sulfatides whereas a pre-incubation of 15 to 20 min was required in the presence of kaolin. The limited proteolysis of 125I-Factor XII in plasma during incubation was more rapid and more extensive in the presence of sulfatides than in the presence of kaolin. Factor XII cleavage in prekallikrein deficient plasma was completed in less than 5 min in the presence of sulfatides and in less than 15 min in the presence of kaolin. Thus, the appearance of Factor XII-dependent coagulant activity correlates with the limited proteolysis of Facto XII when normal or prekallikrein deficient plasma is activated by sulfatides or by kaolin. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that Factor XII is cleaved in plasma to generate maximal Factor XIIa activity.