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High levels of circulating thrombomodulin in human foetuses and children
S Menashi1, M H Aurousseau, D Gozin
1U353 INSERM, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France. s.menashi@chu-stlouis.fr
Insights
Plasma thrombomodulin (pTM) levels peak during fetal development, indicating a unique role beyond anticoagulation. These levels decrease after birth, approaching adult values in childhood.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Thrombomodulin (TM) is a proteoglycan on endothelial cells.
- TM has known anticoagulant functions.
- TM is also involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine circulating plasma TM (pTM) levels in human fetuses, newborns, and children.
- To characterize the developmental pattern of pTM throughout gestation and childhood.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma TM (pTM) levels.
- Analysis of pTM levels across different gestational ages, at birth, and during childhood (5-15 years).
Main Results:
- pTM levels increased with gestational age, peaking around weeks 23-26 (approx. 165 ng/ml).
- pTM levels decreased to 108 ng/ml at birth and further to 56 ng/ml in children (5-15 years).
- The fetal pTM peak was statistically significant and independent of maternal levels.
Conclusions:
- A distinct fetal pTM peak suggests a role beyond anticoagulation during development.
- The pTM pattern differs significantly from other coagulation factors.
- TM likely plays a unique, multifaceted role in fetal maturation.
Abstract:
Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial cell surface proteoglycan with anticoagulant functions, also implicated in cell proliferation, cell-cell adhesion and differentiation. In this study we determined circulating plasma TM (pTM) levels in human foetuses at different stages of pregnancy, at birth and in childhood. TM levels increased with gestational age, the median level reaching a peak of approximately 165 ng/ml between the 23rd and 26th week, thereafter decreasing gradually, reaching a value of 108 ng/ml at birth. pTM continues to decrease progressively during childhood, reaching in the 5-15 years group a median of 56 ng/ml which approaches the adult value. The pTM peak was statistically significant and represents a specific foetal phenomenon as it was independent of the corresponding maternal values. As a whole, the pTM pattern during foetal maturation appears totally different from that of protein C, prothrombin and other coagulation activators and inhibitors and thus, TM may play in the foetus another role in addition to its well-known anticoagulant function.