Deficiency of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator–Mediated Plasmin Generation Impairs Vascular Remodeling During Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Mice

Abstract

Loss of the u-PA or plasminogen gene protects against the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling. These observations point to an essential role of u-PA-mediated plasmin generation in the adaptive response to chronic hypoxia and the occurrence of hypoxic pulmonary vascular disease.