Thrombomodulin is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in the regulat
ion of clot formation. Previous work has shown that in the adult mouse
, thrombomodulin expression is primarily located on the luminal surfac
e of endothelial cells; whereas during development, thrombomodulin has
been localized to the placental parietal endoderm, the neuroepitheliu
m, head mesenchyme, lung bud, and atrium of Day 10.5 post coitum embry
os. We examined the expression of thrombomodulin in the adult mouse an
d throughout murine development from Day 7.5 to Day. 18.5 post coitum.
The high expression of thrombomodulin in the lung bud, developing gon
ads, leptomeninges, and the parietal endoderm in comparison to the exp
ression levels in the adult organs suggest that thrombomodulin may pla
y an important role in development.