Altered expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator and type 1 inhibitor in astrocytes of mouse cortex following scratch injury in culture.

The expression of plasminogen and plasminogen activators (PG/PAs) in reactive astrocytes was examined following scratch injury. In response to injury, casein-degrading activity could be observed around astrocytes. The protein expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) was up-regulated, while the free form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) was not detected. Consistent with these findings, results obtained with zymograph assay also revealed that tPA activity, but not uPA activity, was up-regulated. Moreover, the addition of 6-amino-caproitic acid (EACA) to casein-covered astrocytes significantly prevented the recovery of the injured astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the expression of PG/PAs in cultured astrocytes is regulated following injury, suggesting that caseinolytic activity is an essential component during the process of astrocyte recovery.