Fibrinogen Memoirs 2: The Rise and Fall of the Fibrin Cross-linking Controversy

Fibrinogen, a circulating protein component of blood, is the precursor of an insoluble polymer, The Fibrin Clot. Michael Mosesson, MD, author of Fibrinogen Memoirs, investigated Fibrinogen, Fibrin, and Fibrinolysis for more than fifty-five years. His first book, Fibrinogen Memoirs: Journeys of a Clot Doctor, focused on numerous aspects of the structure, function, and metabolism of Fibrinogen and Fibrin. In parsing these subjects, he described the circumstances that prompted him to enter this burgeoning field. Owing to his many scientific contributions, leadership, and insightful interpretations, he became one of its leading investigators. His legacy includes the founding of The International Fibrinogen Research Society.

Mosesson's second book, Fibrinogen Memoirs 2: The Rise and Fall of the Fibrin Crosslinking Controversy, concerns a longstanding controversy over the structural basis for the elasticity of cross-linked fibrin clots. As previously detailed, that issue transformed over a twenty-year period from one of nominal interest in 1985 to an intensely debated and often contentious argument about the exact location of 'cross-links' in fibrin polymers. The argument reached its apex in 2004 with publication of the written debate between the two main protagonists, Mosesson and John Weisel. Shortly thereafter, interest in the controversy waned and was soon replaced by the dogma that only one of the two possible cross-linking arrangements was valid. Since 2010, that fiat assumption has provided the theoretical basis for interpreting, or more likely, misinterpreting, biomechanical experiments concerned with fibrin elasticity.

In this volume, Mosesson emphasizes the importance of providing definitive evidence for cross-link location for correctly interpreting experimental results, and more importantly, as a guide for future design of synthetic polymers for clinical applications. He again examines and dissects the existing evidence for each cross-link arrangement, and although his own proffer is biased, he nevertheless leaves it to the reader to decide which to accept.

Michael's gift for storytelling reveals humor and honesty in his evaluation of each contribution, both as journalist and as participant in the controversy. The chapters are generously spiced with illustrative diagrams and photographs.

Caricatures in Medieval garb artfully drawn by Roger Chen (insets) help to expound each participant's role in the Rise and Fall of the Fibrin Cross-linking Controversy.