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Plasminogen activator system in human coronary atherosclerosis
P N Raghunath1, J E Tomaszewski, S T Brady
1Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6060, USA.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Coronary arteries with atherosclerosis show increased expression of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in the intima. This suggests altered fibrinolytic balance in atherosclerotic plaques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Vascular Pathology
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- The plasminogen activator (PA) system regulates blood clot breakdown.
- Imbalances in PA system components are implicated in coronary artery disease and thrombosis.
- Understanding PA system expression in different coronary artery pathologies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of key PA system components (tPA, uPA, PAI-1, uPAR) in human coronary arteries.
- To compare PA system component expression between normal, fibrointimal proliferation, and atherosclerotic arteries.
- To determine the localization of these components within different vascular cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to study PA system component expression in coronary artery tissues.
- Human coronary arteries with fibrointimal proliferation (n=15) and atherosclerotic plaques (n=10) were analyzed.
- Dual labeling studies were performed to identify cellular localization.
Main Results:
- PAI-1 showed the highest overall staining, followed by tPA, uPAR, and uPA.
- No significant differences in overall staining extent were found between atherosclerotic and fibrointimal proliferation groups.
- Atherosclerotic arteries exhibited significantly increased intimal to medial ratios for tPA and uPAR, and a trend for uPA.
Conclusions:
- Coronary arteries with vascular pathology express substantial antifibrinolytic potential.
- Atherosclerotic plaques show enhanced local expression of profibrinolytic proteins, particularly tPA and uPAR, in the intima.
- These findings highlight altered fibrinolytic activity within atherosclerotic lesions.