Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Visualization of Vascular Ca2+ Signaling Triggered by Paracrine Derived ROS
Published on: December 21, 2011
uPAR-uPA-PAI-1 interactions and signaling: a vascular biologist's view
Bernd R Binder1, Judit Mihaly, Gerald W Prager
1Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Biomolecular Medicine and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. bernd.binder@meduniwien.ac.at
Abstract:
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its inhibitor PAI-1 and its cellular receptor (uPAR), play a pivotal role in pericellular proteolysis. In addition, through their interactions with extracellular matrix proteins as well as with transmembrane receptors and other links to the intracellular signaling machinery, they modulate cell migration, cell-matrix interactions and signaling pathways. A large body of experimental evidence from in-vitro and in-vivo data as well as from the clinics indicates an important role of the uPA-uPAR-PAI-1 systems in cancer. In addition to their role in tumor cell biology, the uPA-uPAR-PAI-1 systems are also important for vascular biology by modulating angiogenesis and by altering migration of smooth muscle cells and fibrin deposition in atherosclerosis and restenosis. This review will focus on the general mechanism of uPAR/uPA/PAI-1 interactions and signaling and the possible relevance of this system in vascular biology.
Related Concept Videos
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
Endocrine Signaling
Overview of the Vascular System
Cell Signaling in Plants
Paracrine Signaling
Paracrine Signaling

