What is the Difference Between Protein C and Protein S Deficiency

The key difference between protein C and protein S deficiency is that protein C deficiency is due to not having enough of protein C to protect people from excessive clotting in the blood, while protein S deficiency is due to not having enough of protein S to protect people from excessive clotting in the blood.

Protein C and protein S are vitamin K-dependent glycoproteins that play an important role in the regulation of blood coagulation. They are natural anticoagulants. Both these deficiencies are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Moreover, deficiencies in these proteins may lead to problems in blood coagulation, risk of venous thromboembolism, and arterial diseases.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Protein C Deficiency
3. What is Protein S Deficiency
4. Similarities – Protein C and Protein S Deficiency
5. Protein C vs. Protein S Deficiency in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Protein C vs. Protein S Deficiency

What is Protein C Deficiency?

Protein C deficiency is a rare abnormal clotting disorder. Protein C deficiency indicates an insufficient presence of protein C, which leaves individuals vulnerable to excessive blood clotting. It is caused by a mutation in a gene called PROC. Protein C deficiency can also be caused by vitamin K deficiency, warfarin therapy, severe liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and severe bacterial infection. This condition affects about 1 in every 200 to 500 people in the general population. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include blood clots, mainly in blood vessels in the arms and legs, abnormal bleeding into the affected area, and large purple patches or spots on the skin anywhere on the body. The complications of protein C deficiency include widespread thrombosis, blood clots, purpura fulminans, and fluid overload in infants.

Protein C deficiency is diagnosed through a personal history of having blood clots, family history of having blood clots, blood tests, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for protein C deficiency may include giving anticoagulants (warfarin) and protein C concentrate (Ceprotin®) or fresh frozen plasma.

What is Protein S Deficiency?

Protein S deficiency is a rare disorder that lets the blood clot very easily. Protein S deficiency is caused by a mutation in a gene called PROS1. The acquired form of this disorder can be caused by liver disease, kidney disease, nephritic syndrome, chemotherapy, infections, surgery, a lack of vitamin K, taking birth control pills, and pregnancy. The symptoms of this condition may include blood clots in the legs, DVT, blood clots during pregnancy, pulmonary embolism, and stroke in children. The complications of protein S deficiency include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, premature birth, and other complications during pregnancy.

Protein S deficiency can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for protein S deficiency may include taking anticoagulants, which include heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or dabigatran, taking blood thinners and not taking certain medicines like birth control pills that can promote blood clotting.

What are the Similarities Between Protein C and Protein S Deficiency?

• Protein C and protein S deficiency can lead to blood clotting problems.
• Both deficiencies can be inherited or acquired.
• If inherited, these deficiencies follow an autosomal dominant pattern.
• Both deficiencies can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and genetic testing.
• They can be treated by taking anticoagulants.

What is the Difference Between Protein C and Protein S Deficiency?

Protein C deficiency is due to not having enough protein C to protect people from excessive clotting in the blood, while protein S deficiency is due to not having enough protein S to protect people from excessive clotting in the blood. Thus, this is the key difference between protein C and protein S deficiency. Furthermore, protein C deficiency occurs in approximately 1 of every 200 to 500 people. On the other hand, protein S deficiency occurs in approximately 1 of every 500 individuals.

The infographic below presents the difference between protein C and protein S deficiency in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Protein C vs. Protein S Deficiency

Protein C and protein S are two natural anticoagulants in the blood. They are glycoproteins, which are predominantly synthesized by the liver. Protein C deficiency refers to not having enough protein C to protect them from excessive clotting in the blood. Protein S deficiency refers to not having enough protein S to protect from excessive clotting in the blood. Moreover, protein C deficiency occurs in approximately 1 of every 200 to 500 people, whereas protein S deficiency occurs in approximately 1 of every 500 individuals. So, this summarizes the difference between protein C and protein S deficiency.

Reference:

1. “Protein S Deficiency.” Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
2.“Protein C Deficiency: Medlineplus Genetics.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blood Coagulation and Protein C Pathways” By John H. Griffin PhD., jgriffin (at) scripps (dot) edu – John H. Griffin PhD., The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Protein S100B PDB 1b4c” By Emw – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia