The role of the endothelium in in vivo anticoagulation.
Endothelial cells play an important role in the anticoagulation of circulating blood. They participate in at least four mechanisms that aid in preventing vascular occlusion by platelet plugs or fibrin deposition. These mechanisms include the fibrinolytic pathway, the enhancement of action of endogenous inhibitors of coagulation, the inhibition of cofactors required for fibrin formation, and the synthesis and release of platelet inhibitors. Thus, the endothelium can no longer be viewed merely as a passive barrier separating the blood from the interstitial matrix. Instead, it must be viewed as an active participant in the maintenance of blood fluidity and the prevention of thrombogenesis.
Housholder
G T
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Department of Pharmacology, Texas Medical Center, University of Texas HSC Dental Branch, Houston 77225.
D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011486:Protein C / Q000502:physiology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D013917:Thrombin / Q000502:physiology
D011486:Protein C; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D013917:Thrombin