Biological Activity
Heparin cofactor II (HCII)a member of the serpin superfamilyis a serine protease inhibitor th at rapidly inactivates thrombin in the presence of dermatan sulfateheparan sulfateor heparin. In addition to its role in coagulation regulationHCII may also participate in inflammationatherosclerosisand wound repair. For exampleleukocyte-mediated degradation of HCII releases peptides th at are chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes which may promote acute inflammation and wound repair. It has also been reported th at HCII and dermatan sulfate levels are elevated in pregnancysuggesting th at HCII may be protective against thrombosis during pregnancy.''Serine protease th at inhibits thrombinα-chymotrypsinneutrophil cathepsin Gand Streptomyces griseus protease B.
