Thrombin inhibition and thrombin generation by cultured aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells from minipig

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.