Endothelial and smooth muscle cells cultured from minipig aorta were examined for
their inhibitory activity on thrombin and for their thrombin generating capacity.
Endothelial cells showed both a thrombin inhibition and an activation of prothrombin
in the presence of Ca++, which was enhanced in the presence of phospholipids. Smooth muscle cells showed
an activation of prothrombin but at a lower rate. Both coagulation and amidolytic
micro-assays were suitable for studying the thrombin-vessel wall interaction.
Keywords
Thrombin generation - Thrombin inhibition - Endothelial cells - Smooth muscle cells