Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial cell membrane protein and plays critical roles in anti-thrombosis, anti-inflammation, vascular endothelial protection, and is traditionally regarded as a "vascular protection god".
However, the significance of membrane-bound TM in chronic sterile vascular inflammation and the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains undetermined.
Recombinant lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin suppresses vascular inflammation by reducing leukocyte recruitment via interacting with Lewis Y on endothelial cells.