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Characteristics of tissue plasminogen activator from paranasal mucous membrane in chronic sinusitis
Abstract:
Tissue extract of paranasal mucous membrane from patients with chronic sinusitis was found to show a large lysis area on plasminogen-rich fibrin plates, but not on plasminogen-free fibrin plates. This indicates the existence of tissue plasminogen activator in the tissue extract. Further studies by the gel filtration technique showed that two plasminogen activators of different molecular weights were present in the tissue extract. The existence of tissue plasminogen activator with a low molecular weight has not previously been reported. This activator is labile at neutral pH at 37 degrees C, but stable on fibrin under the above conditions. The molecular weight of this compound is lower than that of cytochrome c. It may be a compound which is proteolytically modified by proteases, ie, trypsin-like enzymes, existing in the paranasal mucous membrane tissue of patients with chronic sinusitis.
Insights
Researchers discovered a novel, low-molecular-weight tissue plasminogen activator in chronic sinusitis patients. This previously unreported activator may be modified by local proteases, offering new insights into sinusitis pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Chronic sinusitis is associated with inflammation and tissue remodeling.
- The role of fibrinolytic system components, such as plasminogen activators, in sinusitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of plasminogen activators in the tissue extracts of patients with chronic sinusitis.
- To identify novel activators and elucidate their properties.
Main Methods:
- Tissue extracts from paranasal mucous membranes of chronic sinusitis patients were analyzed.
- Fibrin plate assays (plasminogen-rich and plasminogen-free) were used to detect activator activity.
- Gel filtration chromatography was employed to determine molecular weights of the activators.
Main Results:
- Tissue extracts demonstrated significant lysis on plasminogen-rich fibrin plates, indicating the presence of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).
- Two distinct plasminogen activators with different molecular weights were identified.
- A novel, low-molecular-weight t-PA was discovered, previously unreported in this context.
- This low-molecular-weight activator was found to be labile at neutral pH and 37°C but stable on fibrin.
Conclusions:
- The paranasal mucous membrane in chronic sinusitis patients harbors at least two types of tissue plasminogen activators.
- A previously unknown, low-molecular-weight t-PA exists in this tissue.
- This novel activator's lability and potential proteolytic modification suggest a complex role in the pathophysiology of chronic sinusitis.