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PubMed1985

Plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity in normal human lymphocytes: diminished lymphocyte plasminogen activator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Discrepancies in correlations between fibrinolytic activity and metastatic potential of malignant cells has resulted in speculation on the putative role of plasminogen activators (PA) in cancer. In this report we have compared lymphocyte PA from 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to normal human B- and T-lymphocytes. Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation. The B- and T-cells were further separated on nylon wool columns. Cell PA activity and cell membrane PA were determined using 3H-fibrin-coated plates with added human plasminogen. Lymphocytes did not lyse 3H-fibrin in the absence of plasminogen. Plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activities of normal B- and T-lymphocytes were comparable. The addition of protease inhibitors with trypsin or plasmin specificity to lymphocytes significantly inhibited normal PA, thus substantiating the serine protease spectrum of lymphocyte PA. Examination of lymphocytes from greater than 95% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed a marked decrease in lymphocyte and cell membrane PA as compared to normals. No correlation between Stage of CLL and lymphocyte PA was observed. Likewise, an inhibitor of PA in CLL lymphocytes was not detected. The function of PA in normal B-lymphocyte physiology and the potential pathogenetic role of diminished PA in CLL lymphocytes remain to be explored.

Fibrinolysis↗

PubMed1993

Sodium butyrate differentially modulates plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, urokinase plasminogen activator, and its receptor in a human colon carcinoma cell.

Human colonic epithelium is exposed to varying levels of sodium butyrate, which is derived from the bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrate. Sodium butyrate has several effects on colonic tumor cells in vitro, including arrest of cell growth and differentiation. In the present study we have found that, in addition to a reduction in cellular proliferation, sodium butyrate induces the transient expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) in the LIM 2405 human colonic tumor cell. Approximately 40% of the PAI-1 secreted is biologically active as judged by the formation of higher molecular weight, SDS-resistant complexes with urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). The enhanced PAI-1 biosynthesis was accompanied by an increase in PAI-1 mRNA levels. During the same time period, the amount of secreted uPA remained relatively constant, but the level of cell associated uPA decreased slowly and was accompanied by a decrease in uPA mRNA levels. The uPA receptor is synthesized constitutively by these cells, and was down-regulated at both the protein and mRNA levels in response to sodium butyrate. The results demonstrate that sodium butyrate can alter the balance of components of the plasminogen activator system in a manner which favours net decreased plasminogen activator activity and suggests a role for sodium butyrate in the regulation of extracellular proteolysis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Extracellular and cell-associated localizations of plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in cultured endothelium.

The extracellular localizations of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were examined in cultured bovine capillary endothelial cells (BCEs) by an immunofluorescence method using BCEs treated with or without saponin and focal contact preparations. The specific immunofluorescence of cell surface uPA showed a patchy or strand-like distribution and was colocalized with vinculin strands indicating that uPA secreted from BCEs was mainly deposited at the cell surface of focal contacts. BCEs at a subconfluent density showed a higher intensity of specific immunofluorescence for uPA than when they were at a confluent density. tPA was observed over the dorsal surface of cultured BCEs and accentuated at their margins, suggesting that tPA was diffusely distributed on the luminal surface of BCEs in vivo. PAI-1 was distributed in the extracellular matrix under cultured BCEs. These findings suggest that uPA and PAI-1 are located under BCEs participating in the regulation of proteolytic activities provoked by plasminogen-PAs-plasmin system in vivo. The localization of tPA appears to be consistent with its function, which is to maintain the fluidity of the blood and to initiate thrombolysis in vivo.

Actins↗

PubMed1989

Absence of synergism between tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase on plasminogen activation rate in plasma.

Effects of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase (u-PA) and their combinations on plasminogen activation rate (PAR) in plasma, in vitro were investigated. T-PA and u-PA over concentrations range of 10 U/ml to 50 U/ml induced a linear, concentration dependent increase in PAR. Combinations of t-PA and u-PA in ratios of 3/1, 1/1 and 1/3 induced additive but not synergistic effect in the activation of plasminogen. We conclude, therefore, that t-PA and u-PA do not act synergistically in the activation of plasminogen in plasma in vitro.

Chromogenic Compounds↗

PubMed1992

Tissue-type plasminogen activator, type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor and their complex in plasma with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

The levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), and t-PA/PAI-1 complex antigens were analyzed in the plasma of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) patients and healthy controls. Other fibrinolytic parameters such as the levels of plasminogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2-AP), plasmin/alpha 2-AP (PAP), and D-dimer were also estimated to clarify the fibrinolytic states in these plasmas. The antigens of t-PA, PAI-1, and t-PA/PAI-1 complex were found to increase from 8.5 +/- 4.3, 54.4 +/- 21.2, and 8.6 +/- 3.5 ng/ml in normal plasma to 36.4 +/- 25.1, 106.8 +/- 54.7, and 46.6 +/- 34.5 ng/ml in DIC plasma, respectively. The molar ratio of total t-PA to total PAI-1 was 1:6 and 1:3 in normal plasma and DIC plasma, respectively, indicating an enhanced fibrinolytic state in the DIC plasma. The DIC plasma revealed a significant consumption of plasminogen (62.1 +/- 27.8%), and alpha 2-AP (63.7 +/- 25.3%) and an increase in PAP (2.6 +/- 2.7 micrograms/ml) and D-dimer (3.9 +/- 10.7 micrograms/ml). These results suggest that the production and secretion of t-PA and PAI-1 from endothelial cells were enhanced in DIC, resulting in an increased t-PA/PAI-1 complex with dominant fibrinolytic activity.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗

PubMed1987

Differences between the F10, BL6 and F1 sublines of the B16 melanoma in the enhancement of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor secretion by phorbol myristate acetate.

Analysis of conditioned medium from three sublines of the B16 melanoma [F1 (parental), BL6 (invasive), F10 (metastatic)] by SDS-PAGE and zymography revealed the presence of plasminogen activator activity at 60,000 daltons. The relative activity was F10 greater than F1 greater than or equal to BL6. Treatment of the cells with the tumor promoter, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) led to increased secretion of PA by F10 cells and a lesser increase in secretion by F1 cells and BL6 cells. In addition, a second plasminogen activator activity at 45,000 daltons was detected in conditioned medium from PMA treated F10 cells. Conditioned medium from F10 and F1 cells was also shown to contain a 33,000 dalton plasminogen activator binding protein. Upon PMA treatment the concentration of the binding protein increased in medium from F10 cells but not in similarly treated F1 cells. The binding protein, very likely a plasminogen activator inhibitor, was nearly undetectable in conditioned medium from control and PMA-treated BL6 cells. Therefore, the three sublines, which differ in in vivo phenotypic characteristics, also differ in their in vitro regulation of proteinase and proteinase inhibitor synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Treatment of mouse L-cells with phorbol myristate acetate induces the secretion of a plasminogen activator inhibitor which binds to human and mouse urokinase and human tissue plasminogen activator.

1. Serum-free conditioned medium from L-cells or L-cells treated with the tumor-promotor phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was analyzed for plasminogen activator (PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity. Conditioned medium from control or PMA-treated cells did not contain detectable PA activity when assayed by SDS-PAGE and zymography. 2. Conditioned medium from PMA-treated cells, but not control cells, contained a PAI of Mr = 40,000 da when assayed by reverse zymography. 3. The L-cell PAI formed SDS-stable complexes with purified human (homo sapiens) urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator, as well as, mouse (Mus musculus) urinary PA. 4. These results indicate that biochemical and immunological differences between human and mouse urokinase and human urokinase and human tissue plasminogen activator do not influence the interaction of the L-cell PAI with these enzymes.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Localization of plasminogen activators and plasminogen-activator inhibitors in human gingival tissues demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

The plasminogen-activating system plays an important part in tissue proteolysis in physiological as well as pathological processes. Plasminogen activators u-PA (urokinase) and t-PA (tissue) as well as the inhibitors PAI-1 and PAI-2 are present in gingival crevicular fluid in concentrations significantly greater than in plasma. This fact, and the finding that the concentrations of t-PA and PAI-2 are higher in areas with gingival inflammation, indicate local production of these components. The present study describes, by means of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the localization of the plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in gingival tissues from patients undergoing periodontal surgery. t-PA mRNA and t-PA antigen were primarily found in the epithelial tissues, predominantly in the sulcular and junctional regions, although occasionally in the oral epithelium and in blood vessels of the connective tissue. u-PA and u-PA-receptor signals were seen in single cells within the junctional and sulcular epithelia and adjacent to blood vessels close to the junctional epithelium, but rarely in the oral epithelium. Similar to t-PA, the predominant location of PAI-2 mRNA was the gingival epithelia. In the junctional and sulcular epithelia, PAI-2 mRNA was seen throughout the thickness, while in the oral epithelium the strongest signals were seen in stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum. PAI-1 mRNA was invariably found in the connective tissue associated with blood vessels. The present study confirms earlier indications of local production of plasminogen activators and their inhibitors in gingival tissues. In addition, the results demonstrate that t-PA and PAI-2 in these patients are produced predominantly in the epithelial tissues. Furthermore, the presence of t-PA and PAI-2 seems to be most pronounced in the areas likely to be subjected to bacterial assault.

Gingiva↗

PubMed1997

Levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in non-small cell lung cancer as measured by quantitative ELISA and semiquantitative immunohistochemistry.

The components of the plasminogen activation system have been reported to have prognostic impact in several cancer types, e.g. breast-, colon-, gastric- and lung cancer. Most of these studies have used quantification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on tumour tissue extracts. However, results in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) studies obtained by quantitative ELISA and semiquantitative immunohistochemistry differ. If the prognostic value of the components of the plasminogen activation system is to be exploited clinically in the future, it is important to choose an easy and valid methodology. In the present study we investigated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), as quantitated by ELISA in tumour extracts from 64 NSCLC patients (38 squamous cell carcinomas, 26 adenocarcinomas), and compared them to staining intensity as semiquantitated by immunohistochemistry for PAI-1 and uPAR on corresponding cryostat sections. A significant association (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001) was found between the PAI-1 levels measured by ELISA and semiquantitated by immunohistochemistry. No association was found for uPAR. When correlating levels of PAI-1 and uPAR determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively, to survival status, no significant correlation was found for any of the subgroups. At present neither of the methods examined in the present study can be recommended as superior for quantitating PAI-1 and uPAR with the aim of predicting prognosis. In conclusion, a larger comparative study is needed to clarify the relationship between ELISA and immunohistochemical results, before a methodology for clinical use can be chosen in non-small cell lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2001

Tissue- and urokinase-type plasminogen activators and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor in melanomas and benign skin pigment neoplasms.

The content of urokinase- and tissue-type plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitor PAI-1 in the cytosol of primary and metastatic melanomas and benign skin pigment neoplasms was estimated by enzyme immunoassay. It was shown that local growth and invasion of melanomas are related to suppressed expression of tissue plasminogen activator. The content of urokinase plasminogen activator increases in patients with distant metastases and large thickness of the primary tumor.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Kinetic analysis of the interaction between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator.

The kinetics of inhibition of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) by the fast-acting plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was investigated in homogeneous (plasma) and heterogeneous (solid-phase fibrin) systems by using radioisotopic and spectrophotometric analysis. It is demonstrated that fibrin-bound t-PA is protected from inhibition by PAI-1, whereas t-PA in soluble phase is rapidly inhibited (K1 = 10(7) M-1.s-1) even in the presence of 2 microM-plasminogen. The inhibitor interferes with the binding of t-PA to fibrin in a competitive manner. As a consequence the Kd of t-PA for fibrin (1.2 +/- 0.4 nM) increases and the maximal velocity of plasminogen activation by fibrin-bound t-PA is not modified. From the plot of the apparent Kd versus the concentration of PAI-1 a Ki value of 1.3 +/- 0.3 nM was calculated. The quasi-similar values for the dissociation constants between fibrin and t-PA (Kd) and between PAI-1 and t-PA (Ki), as well as the competitive type of inhibition observed, indicate that the fibrinolytic activity of human plasma may be the result of an equilibrium distribution of t-PA between both the amount of fibrin generated and the concentration of circulating inhibitor.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1995

Ovulation efficiency is reduced in mice that lack plasminogen activator gene function: functional redundancy among physiological plasminogen activators.

Several lines of indirect evidence suggest that plasminogen activation plays a crucial role in degradation of the follicular wall during ovulation. However, single-deficient mice lacking tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), or PA inhibitor type 1(PAI-1) gene function were recently found to have normal reproduction, although mice with a combined deficiency of tPA and uPA were significantly less fertile. To investigate whether the reduced fertility of mice lacking PA gene function is due to a reduced ovulation mechanism, we have determined the ovulation efficiency in 25-day-old mice during gonadotropin-induced ovulation. Our results reveal that ovulation efficiency is normal in mice with a single deficiency of tPA or uPA but reduced by 26% in mice lacking both physiological PAs. This result suggests that plasminogen activation plays a role in ovulatory response, although neither tPA nor uPA individually or in combination is obligatory for ovulation. The loss of an individual PA seems to be functionally complemented by the remaining PA but this compensation does not appear to involve any compensatory up-regulation. Our data imply that a functionally redundant mechanism for plasmin formation operates during gonadotropin-induced ovulation and that PAs together with other proteases generate the proteolytic activity required for follicular wall degradation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

The release of plasminogen activators (t-PA and u-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) after venous stasis.

The aim of the present study was to compare plasma levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), before and after 20 min of venous stasis, with those of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and t-PA/PAI-1 complexes, to determine whether both plasminogen activators and their inhibitor respond similarly to the same stimulus. We studied 36 patients with recurrent venous thrombosis in whom no coagulation defects predisposing them to thrombosis had been detected (mean age 38.2 years, range 15-70 years). Twenty healthy individuals (mean age 34.3 years, range 20-60 years) served as a control group. t-PA, PAI-1 and u-PA activity and antigen, as well as the t-PA/PAI-1 complex antigen, were measured before and after venous stasis. Post-stasis fibrinolytic parameters were corrected for the haemoconcentration which occurred during the venous occlusion test. Pathologically high PAI-1 levels (antigen and activity) were found in four out of 36 patients who were excluded from study. Functional and antigenic u-PA increased significantly after venous stasis when analysed as the absolute differences between paired samples (P less than 0.01). This increase in u-PA did not correlate with changes in t-PA or PAI-1 (r = 0.28 and r = 0.36 respectively). This leads us to suggest that different mechanisms relating to clearance and/or release from diverse sources might be involved in elevations of u-PA in response to a local endothelial stimulus. We conclude that venous stasis might not be the elective choice when evaluating 'bad responders' predisposed to thrombosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Tissue-specific and time-coordinated hormone regulation of plasminogen-activator-inhibitor type I and tissue-type plasminogen activator in the rat ovary during gonadotropin-induced ovulation.

The plasminogen-activator system provides proteolytic activity in many biological processes. The regulation of plasminogen activation may occur at many levels including the synthesis and secretion of plasminogen activators (PA) and the specific inhibition of PA activity by inhibitors. PA-inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is an efficient inhibitor of tissue-type PA (tPA) and urokinase-type PA (uPA) that may therefore be instrumental for the control of plasminogen activation. To investigate if coordinated regulation of PA and PA inhibitors take place in vivo in response to physiological signals, we have examined the regulation of PAI-1 and tPA in the ovary during gonadotropin-induced ovulation. We found that PAI-1, as well as tPA activity and mRNA levels, were coordinately regulated by gonadotropins in a time-dependent and cell-specific manner, such that a surge of PA-activity was obtained just prior to ovulation. Both theca-interstitial and granulosa cells synthesized PAI-1, but their maximal PAI-1 expression occurred at different times during the periovulatory period, ensuring inhibition of proteolytic activity in ovarian extra cellular compartments both before and after ovulation. The coordinated regulation of tPA and PAI-1 in the ovary may fine-tune the peak of PA activity which may be important for the regulation of the ovulatory process.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Vampire bat salivary plasminogen activator promotes rapid and sustained reperfusion without concomitant systemic plasminogen activation in a canine model of arterial thrombosis.

The efficacy of recombinant vampire bat salivary plasminogen activator (bat-PA) as a thrombolytic agent was compared with that of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in a canine model of arterial thrombosis. An occlusive thrombus was formed in the femoral artery by insertion of a thrombogenic copper coil; femoral arterial blood flow was monitored with a Doppler flow meter. Bat-PA and t-PA, when administered by 5-minute intravenous infusion (14 nmol/kg), reperfused seven out of eight and four out of eight dogs, respectively. The median reperfusion times in the bat-PA and t-PA groups were 24 and greater than or equal to 131 minutes, respectively. The mean reperfusion times (+/- SEM) in the recanalized bat-PA- and t-PA-treated dogs were similar (20 +/- 5 and 11 +/- 2 minutes, respectively, p = NS). Maximal blood flow after reperfusion was greater with bat-PA than with t-PA (80 +/- 10% and 41 +/- 15% of control flow, respectively, p less than 0.05). Furthermore, the median reocclusion time was markedly delayed in the bat-PA group relative to the t-PA group (131 versus 34 minutes, respectively, p less than 0.05). Plasma fibrinogen and plasminogen were not significantly depleted by the administration of t-PA or bat-PA. However, plasma alpha 2-antiplasmin activity was moderately depressed in the t-PA group relative to the bat-PA group (p less than 0.05). The clearance profile for t-PA was monoexponential, with a half-life (t1/2) of 2.4 +/- 0.3 minutes and a mean residence time of 3.5 +/- 0.4 minutes. The clearance profile for bat-PA was biexponential, with a t1/2 alpha of 0.9 +/- 0.2 minutes, a t1/2 beta of 20.2 +/- 2.7 minutes, and a mean residence time of 21.3 +/- 4.3 minutes. The steady-state volume of distribution displayed by bat-PA was 16-fold greater than that of t-PA. Zymography of serial plasma samples from the bat-PA-treated dogs failed to demonstrate the apparent generation of a complex between bat-PA and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; the corresponding complex with t-PA was observed in plasma samples from the t-PA-treated dogs. The sustained recanalization and improved blood flow in the bat-PA group relative to the t-PA group and the avoidance of fibrinogenolysis by bat-PA, despite its prolonged mean residence time, suggest that bat-PA may be superior to t-PA as a thrombolytic agent.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Intravenous thrombolytic therapy with a combination of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in acute myocardial infarction.

The effects of simultaneous intravenous infusions of 12 mg recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) over 30 minutes and 48 mg single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scuPA) over 40 minutes were studied in 38 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Coronary arterial patency was assessed angiographically 60 minutes and 90 minutes after initiation of treatment. Patency was achieved in 19 of 31 patients (61.3%) (95% confidence limits, 42-78%) at 60 minutes and in 27 of 33 patients (81.8%) (95% confidence limits, 65-93%) at 90 minutes. Nonspecific plasminogen activation was monitored by measuring relevant plasma parameters. At 60 minutes and 120 minutes, the fibrinogen concentration decreased slightly to 82.8 +/- 24.3% and 91.2 +/- 17.4% of the preinfusion level, and the plasminogen concentration to 66.3 +/- 15.2% and 65.3 +/- 13.4%, respectively. A greater consumption of alpha 2-antiplasmin was observed, which decreased to 30.7 +/- 22.8% and 32.2 +/- 21.2% of the preinfusion level at 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. No bleeding necessitating transfusion was observed. Two patients (5.3%) died during hospitalization. The findings suggest that the combined intravenous infusion of rt-PA and scuPA at appropriate doses induces highly effective coronary thrombolysis equal to the best results obtained with either rt-PA or scuPA alone. This efficacy is coupled with high specificity. Thus, the data support the potential use of combinations of rt-PA and scuPA in place of monotherapy.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

PubMed1988

Endothelial cell-mediated conversion of Glu-plasminogen to Lys-plasminogen. Further evidence for assembly of the fibrinolytic system on the endothelial cell surface.

Lysine-plasminogen (Lys-PLG), the plasmin-modified form of native glutamic acid-plasminogen (Glu-PLG), displays enhanced binding affinity for fibrin and also enhanced activation by urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator. We previously demonstrated high-affinity, specific, and functional binding of Glu-PLG as well as tissue plasminogen activator to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In the present study, we demonstrate binding of Lys-PLG to HUVEC, as well as conversion of Glu-PLG to Lys-PLG at the cell surface. Binding of Lys-PLG to HUVEC was saturable, reversible, epsilon-aminocaproic acid-sensitive, and involved two saturable sites with Kd's of 142 pM and 120 nM, respectively. Upon incubation with Glu-PLG, HUVEC, as well as endothelium in situ, partially converted the ligand to a Lys-PLG-like species. Conversion by HUVEC was blocked by diisopropyl-fluorophosphate, but not by other serine protease inhibitors, including alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor. Eluates of intact umbilical cord vessels contained Lys-PLG by immunoblot analysis. Lys-PLG was also identified immunohistochemically on the endothelial surface of vessels from a variety of normal and inflamed tissues. Thus, endothelial cells appear to actively modify circulating Glu-PLG, bind Lys-PLG to their surface, and thus enhance the fibrinolytic potential of the blood vessel wall.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2002

Regulation of seizure spreading by neuroserpin and tissue-type plasminogen activator is plasminogen-independent.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a highly specific serine proteinase expressed in the CNS during events that require neuronal plasticity. In this study we demonstrate that endogenous tPA mediates the progression of kainic acid-induced (KA-induced) seizures by promoting the synchronization of neuronal activity required for seizure spreading, and that, unlike KA-induced cell death, this activity is plasminogen-independent. Specifically, seizure induction by KA injection into the amygdala induces tPA activity and cell death in both hippocampi, and unilateral treatment of rats with neuroserpin, a natural inhibitor of tPA in the brain, enhances neuronal survival in both hippocampi. Inhibition of tPA within the hippocampus by neuroserpin treatment does not prevent seizure onset but instead markedly delays the progression of seizure activity in both rats and wild-type mice. In tPA-deficient mice, seizure progression is significantly delayed, and neuroserpin treatment does not further delay seizure spreading. In contrast, plasminogen-deficient mice show a pattern of seizure spreading and a response to neuroserpin that is similar to that of wild-type animals. These findings indicate that tPA acts on a substrate other than plasminogen and that the effects of neuroserpin on seizure progression and neuronal cell survival are mediated through the inhibition of tPA.

Amygdala↗