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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2007;27:1231.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

Vascular Functions of the Plasminogen Activation System

William P. Fay; Nadish Garg; Madhavi Sunkar

From Departments of Internal Medicine and Medical Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Mo, and the Research Service, Harry S. Truman Veterans Affairs Hospital, Columbia, Mo.

Correspondence to William P. Fay, MD, University of Missouri, MC314 McHaney Hall, One Hospital Drive DC095.00, Columbia, MO 65212. E-mail fayw{at}missouri.edu

Series Editor: David T. Eitzman
Regulation of Hemostasis and Thrombosis: Insights From Murine Models
ATVB In Focus

Previous Brief Reviews in this Series:

•Tollefsen DM. Heparin cofactor II modulates the response to vascular injury. 2007;27:454–460.

The plasminogen activator (PA) system, which controls the formation and activity of plasmin, plays a key role in modulating hemostasis, thrombosis, and several other biological processes. While a great deal is known about the function of the PA system, it remains a focus of intensive investigation, and the list of biological pathways and human diseases that are modulated by normal and pathologic function of its components continues to lengthen. Because of remarkable advances in molecular genetics, the laboratory mouse has become the most useful animal system to study the normal and pathologic functions of the PA system. The purpose of this review is to summarize studies that have used genetically modified mice to examine the functions of the PA system in hemostasis and thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury, and atherosclerosis. Particular emphasis is placed on the vascular functions of PA inhibitor-1, a key regulator of the PA system, and the multiple variables that appear to account for the complex role of PA inhibitor-1 in regulating vascular remodeling. Lastly, the strengths and limitations of using mice to model human vascular disease processes are discussed.

The plasminogen activator (PA) system plays key roles in modulating fibrinolysis, vascular remodeling, and atherosclerosis development. This article reviews the use of murine models to elucidate the in vivo functions of the PA system and the roles of specific PA system components in pathologic vascular processes.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • fibrinolysis • mouse • plasminogen • vascular remodeling