Insights into fibrinogen mechanics under cyclic high-strain loading.

ABSTRACT: Fibrinogen plays a central role in the physiological processes of blood coagulation and, unfortunately, ischemic stroke, where it is routinely exposed to mechanical forces. In this study, we employed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to subject fibrinogen to three cycles of high-strain loading (∼17.5-27.5%) and unloading, enabling us to probe its mechanical response under cyclic stress. To capture the effects of pulling direction and structural asymmetry, we simulated the two different fibrinogen molecules present in the crystallographic unit cell. Forces were applied to the γ1 nodule of molecule 1 and the γ2 nodule of molecule 2 in opposite directions. The simulations revealed contrasting mechanical behaviors: the γ1 nodule exhibited greater extension with partial elasticity, where

SUBMITTER: Ibrahim MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12930531 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature