Any of a family of glycoproteins secreted into the extracellular matrix by various types of cell, which play a role in cellular adhesion in processes including thrombocyte aggregation, tumour metastasis, and angiogenesis.
Origin
1970s.
Definition of thrombospondin in US English:
thrombospondin
noun
Biochemistry Medicine
Any of a family of glycoproteins secreted into the extracellular matrix by various types of cell, which play a role in cellular adhesion in processes including thrombocyte aggregation, tumour metastasis, and angiogenesis.