[Thrombomodulin]

Thrombomodulin (TM), a membrane-bound receptor for thrombin on the endothelial cell surface, contributes to the regulation of the coagulation system. TM is known to exist in human plasma and urine as soluble forms. We purified soluble TM from human urine (MR-33) and investigated the anticoagulant effects of MR-33 in vitro and in vivo. In human plasma, MR-33 inhibited not only the procoagulant activity of thrombin, but also the thrombin generation via accelerating the thrombin-catalyzed protein C activation. In rat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) models, intravenous infusion of MR-33 improved the hematological abnormalities without excessive prolongation of APTT and bleeding time. Benefit (dose required for 50% inhibition of fibrinogen decrease: ED50) to risk (minimum dose required for significant prolongation of bleeding time) ratio was 1:27 for MR-33. Furthermore, the anticoagulant activities of MR-33 was independent of AT III activity, and MR-33 was effective on heparin-resistant DIC models with low AT III level in rats. Intravenous injection of MR-33 prevented the endotoxin-induced increases in TAT, TNF-alpha and IL-6 level and pulmonary vascular permeability in mice. These results indicate that MR-33 may be a clinically useful antithrombotic agent with reduced risk for hemorrhage, and this drug also has anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical trials of MR-33 for the treatment of DIC are now in progress in Japan.