[Physiologic inhibitors of blood coagulation. 2. Alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha-antitrypsin and the C1 inhibitor of complement]

Abstract

Three physiological inhibitors of blood coagulation - alpha-2-macroglobulin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and C-1-inhibitor of complement - are dealt with in a brief survey. The point is that these are proteins of the organism with a defence character which are also able to inhibit an extraordinarily broad spectrum of proteases. Some recent findings about their molecular structure, manner of response, and inhibitory spectrum are represented. Comparisons are made to corresponding proteins in mammals, in alpha-2-macroglobulin and even in lower vertebrates. Moreover, the inherited deficiency of these three inhibitors are represented with respect to human diseases and changes of their blood level in the course of various diseases are referred to.