Down-regulation of endothelial expression of endothelial cell protein C receptor and thrombomodulin in coronary atherosclerosis.

Coronary atherosclerosis with occlusive thrombosis is the major cause of acute myocardial infarction. Although plaque rupture is usually hypothesized to be the predisposing event in coronary thrombosis, the possibility cannot be excluded that local changes in the anticoagulant properties of the endothelium overlying the plaque contribute to this process. It is evident that thrombomodulin and the endothelial cell protein C receptor are critical players in the control of the thrombogenic process.