title: Coagulation and non-coagulation effects of thrombin.
abstract: Thrombin is a multifunctional serine protease produced from prothrombin, and is a key regulator in hemostatic and non-hemostatic processes. It is the main effector protease in primary hemostasis by activating platelets, and plays a key role in secondary hemostasis. Besides its well-known functions in hemostasis, thrombin also plays a role in various non-hemostatic biological and pathophysiologic processes, predominantly mediated through activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). Depending on several factors, such as the concentration of thrombin, the duration of activation, the location of PARs, the presence of coreceptors, and the formation of PAR heterodimers, activation of the receptor by thrombin can induce different cellular responses. Moreover, thrombin can have opposing effects in the same cell; it can induce both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals. Owing to the complexity of thrombin's signal transduction pathways, the exact mechanism behind the dichotomy of thrombin is yet still unknown. In this review, we highlight the hemostatic and non-hemostatic functions of thrombin, and specifically focus on the non-hemostatic dual role of thrombin under various conditions and in relation to cardiovascular disease.
authors: Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors: J J N
authors: JJ
authors: Posma
authors: Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Posthuma
authors: Departments of Internal Medicine and Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. henri.spronk@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors: H M H
authors: HM
authors: Spronk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015539:Platelet Activation; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D044462:Receptors, Proteinase-Activated / Q000378:metabolism; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D057057:Serine Proteases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013917:Thrombin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D044462:Receptors, Proteinase-Activated; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D057057:Serine Proteases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D013917:Thrombin
keywords: atherosclerosis; blood coagulation; cardiovascular diseases; protease-activated receptors; thrombin