The thrombin mutant W215A/E217A shows safe and potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects in vivo

Administration of the thrombin mutant W215A/E217A (WE), rationally designed for selective activation of the anticoagulant protein C, elicits safe and potent anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects in a baboon model of platelet-dependent thrombosis. The lowest dose of WE tested (0.011 mg/kg bolus) reduced platelet thrombus accumulation by 80% and was at least as effective as the direct administration of 40-fold more (0.45 mg/kg bolus) activated protein C. WE-treated animals showed no detectable hemorrhage or organ failure. No procoagulant activity could be detected for up to 1 week in baboon plasma obtained following WE administration. These results show that engineered thrombin derivatives that selectively activate protein C may represent useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of thrombotic disorders.