Which inhibitor degrades Factor Va and Factor VIIIa?

Protein C is a critical component of the anticoagulation cascade that plays a significant role in regulating blood coagulation. When activated, Protein C functions to degrade Factor Va and Factor VIIIa, two essential cofactors in the coagulation process that, if left unchecked, can lead to excessive clotting.

Factor Va accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, while Factor VIIIa enhances the activation of Factor X by Factor IXa. The degradation of these factors by activated Protein C effectively reduces thrombin generation and limits the extent of clot formation, thereby maintaining hemostatic balance and preventing thrombotic disorders.

In contrast, Antithrombin III primarily inhibits thrombin and Factor Xa, Protein S acts as a cofactor for Protein C to enhance its anticoagulation effect but does not directly degrade the factors, and Alpha2-antiplasmin primarily inhibits plasmin, which is involved in fibrinolysis, rather than impacting the clotting factors directly. This specificity makes Protein C essential for the moderation of the coagulation process.