Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.73 (urokinase-type plasminogen activator)
 10,685 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Components of the fibrinolytic pathway contribute to diverse pathways in many tissues, in addition to their well-recognized role in degradation of fibrin clots. In this study of nasal mucosa, we investigated the presence of mRNA of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization, and compared these results with their localization in immunostained tissues. According to real-time RT-PCR results, t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1, and PAI-2 mRNA were noted in human nasal mucosa. Particularly, expression of u-PA and PAI-1 mRNA was significantly high in allergic nasal mucosa in comparison with normal mucosa. t-PA mRNA was detected in endothelial cells and epithelium in normal nasal mucosa. t-PA mRNA was detected in mucous cells of allergic submucosal glands, but not in normal glands. In allergic rhinitis, u-PA and PAI-2 mRNA were detected in mucinous cells and epithelium, and PAI-1 mRNA was detected in serous cells and epithelium. Expression of u-PA and PAI-1 mRNA in normal nasal tissues was decreased in contrast to that in allergic nasal tissues. u-PA staining was observed in mucous cells of allergic submucosal glands and the staining pattern of PAI-2 was similar to that of u-PA. PAI-1 was present in serous cells of submucosal glands from allergy samples, while epithelial cells were almost devoid of stain. In contrast, with allergy, immunohistochemical staining of t-PA was negative in submucosal glands, though positive in endothelial cells and epithelium. However, the expression of t-PA mRNA in allergic nasal mucosa was noted in mucous cells. In fibrin autography of nasal discharge, u-PA was markedly activated in the allergic patient. These results suggest that t-PA synthesized in mucous cells is promptly secreted and modifies watery nasal discharge in allergic rhinitis, and that u-PA activity may help the passage of large amounts of rhinorrhea by also reducing its viscosity. A lot of cellular infiltration (eosinophils in particular) was recognized in allergic nasal mucosa. It is most likely that the modifications in expression of PAs and PAIs are due to the local release of cytokines or growth factors from these inflammatory and immune cells.
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PMID:Expression profiles of fibrinolytic components in nasal mucosa. 1519 54

Local and systemic changes in hemostasis are associated with allergic diseases. Apart from their well documented role in regulation of plasminogen activation, components of the urokinase system may be involved in modulation of cellular activities during immune inflammatory responses. So far, little has been known about the function of the system in allergic inflammation. In the present study, we assessed circulating levels of the urokinase system components such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), soluble form of uPA receptor (CD87), and the inhibitor--plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. The study comprised of patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, however, without any asthmatic symptoms. Plasma levels of uPA and soluble form of uPA receptor antigens, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 activity were measured in 17 patients with grass pollens-induced intermittent allergic rhinitis and 15 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis due to house dust mite allergy, as well as in 20 sex-matched and age-matched healthy nonatopic participants. We did not observe any statistically significant differences in the levels of the urokinase system components between patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis and persistent allergic rhinitis, and the controls. The circulating levels of uPA, its soluble receptor, and its inhibitor did not differ between allergic rhinitis patients and healthy participants, therefore it seems that the systemic release and activity of the urokinase system molecules may be not significantly changed in the course of nasal allergic inflammation induced by periodic or continuous exposure to a natural allergen.
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PMID:The urokinase system in patients with intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis. 1883 10