Write a detailed description of the steps that are involved in

fibrinolysis.

Fibrinolysis is the process of enzymatic destruction of fibrin clots. In general, it presents two steps:

1) Activation of plasminogen to plasmin.

2) Fibrin-mediated fibrin rupture.

Explanation:

Fibrinolysis is strictly controlled by the actions of various cofactors, inhibitors, and receptors. Plasmin is the main protein that activates fibrinolysis.

Steps involved in the fibrinolysis process:

1) Activation of plasminogen to plasmin.

To dissolve the clot, a substance called plasmin is needed, which is responsible for destroying the fibrin network. To obtain plasmin, the body must convert the molecules of a substance called plasminogen into plasmin. The protein responsible for converting plasminogen molecules into plasmin is called Plasminogen Tissue Activator (Plasminogen Tissue Activator molecules are found in the membrane that covers endothelial cells).

2) Fibrin-mediated fibrin rupture

In this step, the plasmin molecules are attracted to the fibrin network and their objective is to destroy the network, they go to the fibrin network that keeps the clot tightly tied to the vascular wall and begin to digest or disintegrate the strands of fibrin that make up the network, and dismantle them in their constituent parts, that is, fibrinogen molecules. When the plasmin molecules have completely disintegrated into the fibrin network into fibrinogen molecules and D-Dimer molecules, the platelet plug is disassembled and the platelets that compose it are directed towards the liver and spleen, where they are destroyed.

Finally, the wall of the blood vessel is fully repaired and the blood has circulated normally again.