Plasminogen activator/plasmin system: a major player in wound healing?
The role of the plasminogen activator/plasmin system in fibrinolysis has been well established. Indeed, clinicians worldwide have successfully utilized recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator as first-line treatment of acute myocardial infarction for almost 2 decades. Outside the field of cardiology, there has been increasing excitement regarding the possible contribution of this system in many other important biological processes, including cell adhesion, cell migration, cell-cell signaling, tumor invasion and metastasis, ovulation, and wound healing. In this review, we present evidence in the current literature that the plasminogen activator/plasmin system does have a role in wound healing, looking at both normal and abnormal healing. Furthermore, the invaluable insights provided by numerous transgenic animal experiments are summarized.
Li
Wai-Yee
WY
Department of Surgery, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.
Chong
Sheree S N
SS
Huang
Eunice Y
EY
Tuan
Tai-Lan
TL
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D005341:Fibrinolysin