Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1: Molecular Aspects and Clinical Importance

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the major physiologic inhibitor of plasminogen activation in plasma and in the blood vessel wall. PAI-1 exhibits distinctive structural and functional properties that have been extensively studied over the past decade. Aside from the physiological role of PAI-1, there is accumulating evidence that increased production of PAI-1 may contribute to the development of ischemic cardiovascular disease. Efforts are now underway to develop and test specific inhibitors of PAI-1.