Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4

ITIH4gene

Serine-protease inhibitor produced in atherosclerotic plaques and released in exosomes, predicting coronary thrombosis and acute MI.

Pathway placement

Cascade stepCoagulation & thrombus formation

Confidencehigh

RationaleProtease inhibitor expressed in plaque SMC; acute-MI exosomal marker and thrombus predictor.

Also acts inVascular inflammation

Druggability

DruggableYes

Known drugs / candidates0

Small-molecule tractableNo

Antibody tractableYes

EnsemblENSG00000055955

Assay & specimen

Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.

Specimen

Whole blood — gene is not a circulating analyte; measure protein product or genotype

Collection tube

K2-EDTA whole blood (lavender-top)

Method / principle

SNP genotyping / sequencing; or immunoassay of encoded protein

Reagent / substrate

Allele-specific primers/probes (TaqMan) or NGS panel; or antibody for protein

Platform

qPCR / NGS / array

Turnaround · availability

Send-out · Genotyping widely available; protein assay variable