The regulation of natural anticoagulant pathways.
Vascular endothelium plays an active role in preventing blood clot formation in vivo. One mechanism by which prevention is achieved involves a cell surface thrombin-binding protein, thrombomodulin, which converts thrombin into a protein C activator. Activated protein C then functions as an anticoagulant by inactivating two regulatory proteins of the coagulation system, factors Va and VIIIa. The physiological relevance of the protein C anticoagulant pathway is demonstrated by the identification of homozygous protein C--deficient infants with severe thrombotic complications. Recent studies suggest that this pathway provides a link between inflammation and coagulation.