Interactions of blood plasma protein fibrinogen with its receptors, cellular prion protein (above) and intercellular adhesion molecule (below), on the surface of neurons are shown with red dots using a method called proximity ligation assay. The presence of red dots indicates interaction of the target protein with its receptor. Neuronal nuclei are shown in blue. — Microscopic images courtesy of Lominadze Laboratory, USF Health
Neuroinflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury, have been linked to deposits of a tough protein known as fibrin, derived from the blood clotting factor fibrinogen. These mesh-like fibrin deposits occur outside blood vessels in the brain, contributing to the death of neurons that eventually leads to impaired memory.
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