Control of clot lysis by gene transfer

Intravascular clot formation is a local process that can result in serious clinical consequences, including limb loss and death. Gene transfer and expression of recombinant plasminogen activators in the endothelial cells of the vessel wall offer an attractive approach to the enhancement of local fibrinolytic activity. In vitro studies have demonstrated that endothelial cell fibrinolytic activity can be increased by gene transfer of either secreted or cell surface-anchored plasminogen activators. Future work will define the ability of gene transfer to facilitate clot lysis in vivo.