# Structural Correlates of (Pro)Cofactor Function

> **NIH NIH P01** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2024 · $609,638

## Abstract

PROJECT 2-PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The coagulation system is tightly regulated to ensures hemostasis is properly achieved following injury. Factor
V (FV) is a crucial component of this system playing both procoagulant and anticoagulant roles. Imbalanced
expression and control of these activities can result in bleeding or thrombosis. Recent work by us and others
suggests that the central B-domain of FV plays a key role in regulating its opposing functions. Activation of FV
to FVa leads to the release of the B-domain, committing it fully to a procoagulant path resulting in rapid
thrombin generation. However, FV also has anticoagulant properties, working with APC and TFPIα as a
cofactor to inhibit coagulation. Our central hypothesis is that there are unique features of the FV B-domain that
regulate the development of FV's procoagulant activity and contribute to function with APC and TFPIα. We
propose that the B-domain acts as a gatekeeper for FV, controlling the balance between procoagulant and
anticoagulant activity. There is limited information about the B-domain structure and little known about the
mechanisms and structural elements that underlie these functions. This proposal aims to address these
knowledge gaps and use the new information to improve clinical understanding and investigate potential
therapies for bleeding or thrombosis. In Aim 1, we plan to determine the structure of the FV B-domain using
atomic force microscopy. We will investigate how proteolysis affects its structure and examine how specific
structural features regulate procoagulant function and interaction with TFPIα. We will test the hypothesis that
the B-domain adopts a double lariat structure which is stabilized by certain sequences and disrupted by
discrete proteolysis. The structural changes that occur in the B-domain as a result will be studied to understand
interactions with FXa and TFPIα. In Aim 2, we propose to elucidate mechanisms and structural features of the
anticoagulant functions of FV and its spliced variant FV-short, and to expand knowledge on their physiological
effects. Using preliminary data, we will test the hypothesis that FV-short has a stronger anticoagulant effect
when acting as a cofactor for APC compared to FV and investigate specific structural features that may
enhance or inhibit this function. To achieve this, a series of FV and FV-short variants will be evaluated, and we
will investigate procoagulant antibodies that bind to FV/FV-short and affect the APC and TFPIα anticoagulant
pathways in plasma and in vivo. In Aim 3, we plan to advance work on new antibodies that target FV, FV-short
or FVa to modulate its pro- or anticoagulant function. The goal is to use these antibodies to improve our
understanding of these pathways and develop new therapeutic approaches. Our preliminary data support the
hypothesis that FV-specific antibodies targeting its anticoagulant function may have potent procoagulant
effects in vivo. By investigating the structure of ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10768830
- **Project number:** 2P01HL139420-06
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Rodney M Camire
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $609,638
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10768830

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10768830, Structural Correlates of (Pro)Cofactor Function (2P01HL139420-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10768830. Licensed CC0.

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