The protein C anticoagulant pathway serves as a major system for controlling coagulation and limiting inflammatory responses, and potentially decreasing endothelial cell apoptosis in response to inflammatory cytokines and ischemia. The essential components of the pathway involve thrombin, thrombomodulin, the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR), protein C and
protein S. Thrombomodulin binds thrombin, directly inhibiting its clotting and cell activation potential while at the same time augmenting protein C. The endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) augments protein C activation by the thrombin