Autoactivation of FXII by polyP, of the size found in platelets, proceeds via an active single-chain intermediate. scFXII-polyP70 shows activity towards physiological substrates, and may represent the primary event in initiating contact activation in vivo.

Key Points• PolyP significantly augments the plasminogen activator capacity of FXIIa.• Platelet-bound fibrin acts as a reservoir for plasminogen, FXII(a), and polyP.Activated factor XII (FXIIa) has plasminogen activator capacity but its relative contribution to fibrinolysis is considered marginal compared with urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator. Polyphosphate (polyP) is released from activated platelets and mediates FXII activation. Here, we investigate the contribution of polyP to the plasminogen activator function of aFXIIa. We show that both polyP 70 , of the chain length found in platelets (60-100 mer), and platelet-derived polyP significantly augment the plasminogen activation capacity of aFXIIa. PolyP 70 stimulated the autoactivation of FXII and subsequent plasminogen activation, indicating that once activated, aFXIIa remains bound to polyP 70 . Indeed, complex formation between polyP 70 and aFXIIa provides protection against autodegradation. Plasminogen activation by bFXIIa was minimal and not enhanced by polyP 70 , highlighting the importance of the anion binding site. PolyP 70 did not modulate plasmin activity but stimulated activation of Glu and Lys forms of plasminogen by aFXIIa. Accordingly, polyP 70 was found to bind to FXII, aFXIIa, and plasminogen, but not bFXIIa. Fibrin and polyP 70 acted synergistically to enhance aFXIIa-mediated plasminogen activation. The plasminogen activator activity of the aFXIIa-polyP 70 complex was modulated by C1 inhibitor and histidine-rich glycoprotein, but not plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2. Platelet polyP and FXII were found to colocalize on the activated platelet membrane in a fibrin-dependent manner and decorated fibrin strands extending from platelet aggregates. We show that in the presence of platelet polyP and the downstream substrate fibrin, aFXIIa is a highly efficient and favorable plasminogen activator. Our data are the first to document a profibrinolytic function of platelet polyP. (Blood. 2016;128(24):2834-2845

The SEED (Student Enterprise Experience in Dunedin) programme was developed as a four-week, intensive entrepreneurial ‘boot camp’ to provide a small group of participants with a highly experiential business course. Using pre-course and post-course surveys, the authors measured the entrepreneurial ability, knowledge and intentions of the sixteen SEED participants to determine whether the programme was successful as an educational format. The results showed that perceived entrepreneurial ability and knowledge significantly improved, while intent increased but not significantly. Almost all participants intended to start a business both before and after the course, while twice as many (six) indicated that they would undertake further formal study in entrepreneurship after the course compared to before. The data suggest that SEED is filling a niche in entrepreneurial development and support for budding entrepreneurs, with the course also facilitating local business development.

No abstract