A cell surface glycoprotein of endothelial cells that binds thrombin and serves as a cofactor in the activation of protein C and its regulation of blood coagulation.
A cell surface protein found on endothelial cells that plays a key role in modulating the final step in the coagulation process. After thrombin binds to thrombomodulin, thrombin loses its ability to cleave fibrinogen to form fibrin. In addition, once thrombin binds to thrombomodulin, thrombin’s activation of protein C is increased 200-fold and this activated protein C then degrades factors Va and Villa which are both required for the production of thrombin from prothrombin. Hence, thrombomodulin modulates the activity of the enzyme thrombin causing a cessation of full-blown clotting activity.
A protein released by the vascular endothelium. Acting in concert with other factors, it helps to prevent formation of intravascular thrombi.