Modulation of tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by transforming growth factor-beta in human retinal glial cells.

Abstract

The production of plasminogen activators and PAI-1 by HRGCs reflects the potential role of these cells in the progression of neovascular ocular diseases. Furthermore, the finding that t-PA and PAI-1 synthesis by HRGCs is mediated by TGF-beta and its downstream effector Smad2 confirms the importance of the TGF-beta signaling pathway in the regulation of interactions between retinal cells and the extracellular matrix.