Model-dependent contributions of FXII and FXI to venous thrombosis in mice

Background The intrinsic pathway factors (F) XII and FXI have been shown to contribute to thrombosis in animal models. We assessed the role of FXII and FXI in venous thrombosis in three distinct mouse models. Methods Venous thrombosis was assessed in mice genetically deficient for either FXII or FXI. Three models were used: the inferior vena cava (IVC) stasis, IVC stenosis, and femoral vein electrolytic injury models. Results In the IVC stasis model, FXII and FXI deficiency did not affect the size of thrombi but their absence was associated with decreased levels of fibrin(ogen) and an increased level of the neutrophil extracellular trap marker citrullinated histone H3. In contrast, a deficiency of either FXII or FXI resulted in a significant and equivalent reduction in thrombus weight and incidence of thrombus formation in the IVC stenosis model. Thrombi formed in the IVC stenosis model contained significantly higher levels of citrullinated histone H3 compared with the thrombi formed in the IVC stasis model. Deletion of either FXII or FXI also resulted in a significant and equivalent reduction in both fibrin and platelet accumulation in the femoral vein electrolytic injury model. Conclusions Collectively, these data indicate that FXII and FXI contribute to the size of venous thrombosis in models with blood flow and thrombus composition in a stasis model. This study also demonstrates the importance of using multiple mouse models to assess the role of a given protein in venous thrombosis.