Cellular regulation of the protein C pathway.
The protein C anticoagulant pathway regulates thrombin formation. The pathway is triggered when thrombin binds to the endothelial cell proteoglycan, thrombomodulin. Unlike thrombin, this complex is a potent activator of the protein C zymogen, but it cannot clot blood. Activated protein C binds to protein S on cell surfaces where it proteolytically inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. Activated protein C also binds to a newly identified endothelial protein C receptor. Congenital deficiencies in this pathway are associated with thrombotic disease, and inflammation can cause acquired deficiencies. Activated protein C appears to inhibit inflammation. Thus, this pathway modulates both coagulation and inflammation.
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Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104, USA.
Fukudome
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D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011486:Protein C / Q000502:physiology*
D011486:Protein C