Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.7 (plasmin)
 9,023 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A tightly controlled increase in extracellular proteolysis, restricted both in time and space, is an important component of the angiogenic process, while anti-proteolysis is effective in inhibiting angiogenesis. By focussing on the plasminogen activator (PA)-plasmin system, the objective of the present studies was to assess whether previously described inhibitors of angiogenesis modify bovine microvascular endothelial cell proteolytic properties. We demonstrate that although synthetic angiostatic steroids (U-24067 and U-42129), heparin, suramin, interferon alpha-2a, and retinoic acid are all inhibitors of in vitro angiogenesis, each of these agents has distinct effects on the plasminogen-dependent proteolytic system. Specifically, angiostatic steroids and interferon alpha-2a reduce urokinase-type PA (u-PA) and PA inhibitor-1 activity, while heparin and retinoic acid increase u-PA activity. Suramin reduces cell-associated u-PA activity and greatly increases PAI-1 production at doses which induce monolayer disruption. These findings demonstrate that a spectrum of alterations in extracellular proteolysis is associated with anti-angiogenesis, and that anti-angiogenesis and anti-proteolysis are not necessarily correlated. A reduction in extracellular proteolysis would be expected to reduce invasion, whereas an increase in proteolysis might modulate the activity of inhibitory cytokines, which in turn could reduce endothelial cell proliferation and migration and inhibit angiogenesis. The spectrum of effects on different elements of the PA system observed in response to the agents assessed suggests that the role of modulations in extracellular proteolytic activity in anti-angiogenesis is likely to be varied and complex.
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PMID:Modulation of bovine microvascular endothelial cell proteolytic properties by inhibitors of angiogenesis. 752 17

Six patients with documented systemic mast cell disease were enrolled in a 1-year, phase I study to determine the possible benefits of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha). IFN-alpha therapy was begun at a dosage of 0.5 million units/day (MU/day) by subcutaneous injection and increased, as tolerated, to 3.0 MU/day. Subsequent dose modifications were made based on clinical tolerance and response. No immediate, adverse reactions to IFN-alpha occurred. Several patients showed symptomatic improvement. In two patients ascites resolved and did not recur. Two other patients reported improved energy levels and had decreased size of retroperitoneal, measenteric and retrocrural nodes. One patient failed to benefit and died shortly after completing 12 months of therapy. Bone marrow mastocytosis decreased by 5% to 10% after 12 months of therapy with IFN-alpha. Although five of the six patients had a decrease in the urinary excretion of 1-methyl-4-imidazole acetic acid, serum tryptase values did not appreciably change in any patient. Side-effects from IFN-alpha included hypothyroidism, thrombocytopenia and depression. It is concluded that although treatment with IFN-alpha was associated with a decline in bone marrow mastocytosis and reduced excretion of histamine metabolites, prolonged therapy may be needed and dose-limiting side-effects are frequent.
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PMID:Response of severe systemic mastocytosis to interferon alpha. 958 Aug 6