The lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin confers protection from neutrophil-mediated tissue damage by suppressing adhesion molecule expression via nuclear factor kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

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Conway EM, Van de Wouwer M, Pollefeyt S, Jurk K, Van Aken H, De Vriese A, Weitz JI, Weiler H, Hellings PW, Schaeffer P, Herbert JM, Collen D, Theilmeier G

J Exp Med. 2002 Sep 2;196(5):565-77.

PubMed ID

12208873 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a vascular endothelial cell (EC) receptor that is a cofactor for thrombin-mediated activation of the anticoagulant protein C. The extracellular NH(2)-terminal domain of TM has homology to C-type lectins that are involved in immune regulation. Using transgenic mice that lack this structure (TM(LeD/LeD)), we show that the lectin-like domain of TM interferes with polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adhesion to ECs by intercellular adhesion molecule 1-dependent and -independent pathways through the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)(1/2) activation. TM(LeD/LeD) mice have reduced survival after endotoxin exposure, accumulate more PMNs in their lungs, and develop larger infarcts after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. The recombinant lectin-like domain of TM suppresses PMN adhesion to ECs, diminishes cytokine-induced increase in nuclear factor kappaB and activation of ERK(1/2), and rescues ECs from serum starvation, findings that may explain why plasma levels of soluble TM are inversely correlated with cardiovascular disease. These data suggest that TM has antiinflammatory properties in addition to its role in coagulation and fibrinolysis.

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Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Drotrecogin alfa	Prothrombin	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Not Available	Details