The promise of protein C.
Protein C, a vitamin K-dependent serine protease zymogen that circulates in plasma, is converted by limited proteolysis to activated protein C (APC) by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. APC exerts anticoagulant, antiinflammatory, cytoprotective, and antiapoptotic activities. Recombinant APC therapy reduces mortality in severe sepsis patients. This review summarizes data from clinical observations, from in vitro studies, and from animal models of focal ischemic injury that provide a compelling rationale for clinical trials of APC for ischemic stroke.
Griffin
John H
JH
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, MEM180, 10550 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. jgriffin@scripps.edu
Fernández
José A
JA
Mosnier
Laurent O
LO
Liu
Dong
D
Cheng
Tong
T
Guo
Huang
H
Zlokovic
Berislav V
BV
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D011486:Protein C / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D011486:Protein C