A new ELISA method for the measurement of total α2-plasmin inhibitor level in human body fluids

The ever-increasing research efforts to develop new antithrombotic therapies have led to the reassessment of the role of alpha-2-plasmin inhibitor (α2-PI) in pathological conditions. In particular, experimental stroke studies have suggested correlation between increased free α2-PI level and mortality. However there are only a small number of well-characterized and specific assays available for the measurements of free α2-PI. In plasma α2-PI undergoes both N- and/or C-terminal cleavages resulting four isoforms with modified susceptibility to FXIII catalyzed cross-linking to fibrin and/or loss of plasmin(ogen) binding.