Several studies implicate elevated matrix metalloproteinase activity as a cause of cardiac fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether other proteases can also initiate cardiac fibrosis. Because absence of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) prevents development of cardiac fibrosis after experimental myocardial infarction in mice, we hypothesized that elevated activity of uPA or deficiency of th...

Elevated levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a bone-derived phosphaturic hormone, are associated with a number of pathologic conditions including chronic kidney disease, cardiac hypertrophy, and congestive heart failure. Currently, there are no specific treatments available to lower plasma FGF23 levels. We have recently reported that genetic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) ...

OBJECTIVE Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, arises from metabolic disorders and is driven by inappropriate recruitment and proliferation of monocytes / macrophages and vascular smooth-muscle-cells. The receptor for the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR, Plaur) regulates the proteolytic activation of plasminogen. It is also a coactivator of integrins and facilitates leuko...

Two components of the fibrinolytic system, plasminogen and the vascular plasminogen activator, have been isolated to apparent homogeneity from the post-venous occlusion plasma of three diabetic patients (hemoglobin A1C greater than 7%) and of one nondiabetic control person. Plasminogen activation was studied for each person separately in the absence and presence of CNBr fragments of fibrinogen....

background: streptokinase is a potent activator of plasminogen to plasmin, the enzyme that can solubilize the fibrin network in blood clots. streptokinase is currently used in clinical medicine as a thrombolytic agent. it is naturally secreted by β-hemolytic streptococci. methods: to reach an efficient method of purification, an immunoaffinity chromatography method was developed that could puri...

Introduction. The most widely accepted notion of the function blood clotting factor XII (FXII, Hageman factor) is its involvement in internal pathway. However, biological role FXII diverse. Aim – to review diverse functions FXII. Main findings. a serine protease. structure has high degree homology with plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase activator. Activated (FXIIa) five sub...