Beta-thromboglobulin (β-thromboglobulin, also called Pro-Platelet basic protein) is a protein that is stored in alpha-granules of platelets and released in large amounts after platelet activation.
Contents
It is a type of Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 7.
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It is a chemoattractant, strongly for fibroblasts and weakly for neutrophils. It is a stimulator of mitogenesis, extracellular matrix synthesis, glucose metabolism, and plasminogen activator synthesis in human fibroblasts.
Beta-Thromboglobulin also affects megakaryocyte maturation, and thus helps in regulating platelet production.
Clinical use
Levels of Beta-Thromboglobulin is used to index platelet activation. It is measured by ELISA in blood plasma or urine, and often in conjunction with Platelet factor 4)
It is elevated in diabetes mellitus.