title: Interaction of the protein C/protein S anticoagulant system, the endothelium and pregnancy.
abstract: Normal pregnancy is associated with significant changes in haemostasis, lipid metabolism and endothelial function. This suggests that maternal adaptation in these systems is required for successful pregnancy outcome. A number of acquired and heritable prothrombotic abnormalities are associated with complications in pregnancy. A common feature of these abnormalities is their ability to alter endothelial function or the protein C/protein S system and increase thrombin generation. In this review the normal function of the endothelium and the protein C/protein S system is detailed. The changes which characterize normal and complicated pregnancies are outlined and the evidence for the impact of heritable and acquired disorders of the protein C/protein S system on pre-eclampsia and fetal loss are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. pc@glenisla.demon.co.uk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011486:Protein C / Q000378:metabolism*; D017293:Protein S / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D011486:Protein C; D017293:Protein S