title: The plasminogen activation system: new targets in lung inflammation and remodeling.
abstract: The plasminogen activation system (PAS) and the plasmin it forms have dual roles in chronic respiratory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease. Whilst plasmin-mediated airspace fibrinolysis is beneficial, interstitial plasmin contributes to lung dysfunction because of its pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling activities. Recent studies highlight the potential of fibrinolytic agents, including small molecule inhibitors of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), as treatments for chronic respiratory disease. Current data also suggest that interstitial urokinase plasminogen activator is an important mediator of lung inflammation and remodeling. However, further preclinical characterization of uPA as a drug target for lung disease is required. Here we review the concept of selectively targeting the contributions of PAS to treat chronic respiratory disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacol, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuliga
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Westall
authors.forename: Yuxiu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Alastair G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010960:Plasminogen Activators