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Plasminogen activator system and vascular disease

Suzanne M Nicholl1, Elisa Roztocil, Mark G Davies

  • 1Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Center for Vascular Disease, University of Rochester, New York 14642, USA. Suzanne_Nicholl@urmc.rochester.edu

Current Vascular Pharmacology
|April 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The plasminogen activator system is crucial in vascular injury and cardiovascular disease. Understanding its components, like urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), aids in studying vascular homeostasis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Proteolysis and Vascular Health

Background:

  • Vascular diseases like atherosclerosis and stroke involve the plasminogen activator system.
  • This system is central to the pathogenesis of vascular injury and restenosis after surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of the plasminogen activator system in cardiovascular disease.
  • To understand the impact of plasminogen deficiency on cardiovascular pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized plasminogen deficient mice models.
  • Investigated the central components: urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen (plg), plasmin, and inhibitors (PAI-1, PAI-2).

Main Results:

  • Plasminogen deficient mice models have significantly advanced understanding of this proteolytic system.
  • The plasminogen activator system is vital for vascular homeostasis and injury response.

Conclusions:

  • The plasminogen activator system, including u-PA, t-PA, and plasmin, is a critical regulator of vascular health.
  • Associated proteases like Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are influenced by this system.

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