Figure 2From: PAMPs and DAMPs as triggers for DICAnticoagulant properties of endothelial cells. Endothelial cells express several anticoagulants, including thrombomodulin (TM), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), and heparan sulfate. Upon binding to TM, thrombin loses its ability to activate platelets, fibrinogen, and coagulation factors V, VIII, XI, and XIII. Furthermore, the thrombin-TM complex activates protein C, which in turn stops thrombin generation by inactivating coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. Endothelial cells also synthesize and display heparan sulfate proteoglycans on their surface, which bind to TFPI and antithrombin (AT), inhibiting the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex, factor Xa, and thrombin activity. IIa thrombin, PS protein S.Back to article page