REVIEW: Thrombin as a Regulator of Inflammation and Reparative Processes in Tissues

S. M. Strukova

Department of Human and Animal Physiology, School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899 Russia; E-mail: strukova@mail.ru

Received May 30, 2000; Revision received August 19, 2000

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Activation of blood coagulation and thrombin formation accompany inflammation, wound healing, atherogenesis, and other processes induced by endothelial injury. Systems of hemostasis and inflammation play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. This paper reviews thrombin functions involved in its interaction with PAR family receptors, activation of platelets, endothelial cells, leukocytes, smooth muscle cells, and mast cells. Mechanisms of regulatory effects of thrombin on mast cells associated with nitric oxide release are discussed.

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KEY WORDS: thrombin, receptor, agonist peptide, mast cells, nitric oxide, inflammation, wound healing

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