Semin Thromb Hemost 2000; Volume 26(Number 01): 033-038
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9800
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4663

Antithrombotic Regulation in Human Endothelial Cells by Fibrinolytic Factors

Hideharu Fukao, Osamu Matsuo
  • Department of Physiology, Kinki University School of Medicine, Osakasayama city, Japan
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
31. Dezember 2000 (online)

 

ABSTRACT

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) modulate the blood fibrinolytic system by secreting tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), and their inhibitor, type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). ECs also express t-PA receptors (t-PAR) and u-PA receptors (u-PAR) on their cell surfaces, assembling both enzymes to regulate the cellular fibrinolytic activity. In addition, ECs modulate these factors in response to several stimuli. Fibrin clots on ECs induce the up- and downregulation of t-PA and PAI-1 production, respectively, thus causing an effective lysis of the fibrin clot. Heat shock (43°C) increases the expression of u-PA, t-PA, PAI-1, and u-PAR by which ECs become more fibrinolytic around the cells. Furthermore, because ECs possess t-PAR and u-PAR on their cell surfaces, the binding of t-PA and u-PA is a critical event, which affords ECs the localized and condensed fibrinolytic potential. Therefore, ECs play a central role in antithrombotic activity by regulating the levels of these fibrinolytic factors.