Role of Plasminogen System Components in Focal Cerebral Ischemic Infarction

Abstract

Plg system components affect FCI at 2 different levels: (1) reduction of tPA activity (tPA gene inactivation) reduces whereas its augmentation (PAI-1 gene inactivation) increases infarct size, and (2) reduction of Plg activity (Plg gene inactivation or alpha2-AP injection) increases whereas its augmentation (alpha2-AP gene inactivation or alpha2-AP neutralization) reduces infarct size. Inhibition of alpha2-AP may constitute a potential avenue to treatment of FCI.