Thromb Haemost 1996; 75(06): 933-938
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1650397
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Localization of Fibrinolytic Activators and Inhibitors in Normal and Atherosclerotic Vessels

Marten Fålkenberg
1   The Department of Surgery, Östra and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothemburg, Sweden
,
Johan Tjärnstrom
1   The Department of Surgery, Östra and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothemburg, Sweden
,
Per Örtenwall
1   The Department of Surgery, Östra and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothemburg, Sweden
,
Michael Olausson
2   Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothemburg, Sweden
,
Bo Risberg
3   Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 21 November 1995

Accepted after resubmission 06 March 1996

Publication Date:
11 July 2018 (online)

Summary

Local fibrinolytic changes in atherosclerotic arteries have been suggested to influence plaque growth and promote mural thrombosis on ruptured or ulcerated plaques. Increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) have been found in atherosclerotic arteries. In this study tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and PAI-1 were localized in arterial biopsies of healthy and atherosclerotic vessels by immunohistochemis-try. The expression of fibrinolytic regulators was related to the distribution of endothelial cells (EC) and macrophages. Results: t-PA was expressed in vasa vasorum. PAI-1 was positive in endothelial cells, in the media and in the adventitia. Increased expression of t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1 was found in atherosclerotic vessels. t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 and macrophages were co-localized in plaques. These results support the concept that macrophages can be important in the local regulation of fibrinolysis in atherosclerotic vessels.

 
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