title: The story of an exceptional serine protease, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA).
abstract: The only acute treatment of ischemic stroke approved by the health authorities is tissue recombinant plasminogen activator (tPA)-induced thrombolysis. Under physiological conditions, tPA, belonging to the serine protease family, is secreted by endothelial and brain cells (neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes). Although revascularisation induced by tPA is beneficial during a stroke, research over the past 20 years shows that tPA can also be deleterious for the brain parenchyma. Thus, in this review of the literature, after a brief history on the discovery of tPA, we reviewed current knowledge of mechanisms by which tPA can influence brain function in physiological and pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR-S U919 serine proteases and pathophysiology of the neurovascular unit, 14000 Caen, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hébert
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR-S U919 serine proteases and pathophysiology of the neurovascular unit, 14000 Caen, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lesept
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR-S U919 serine proteases and pathophysiology of the neurovascular unit, 14000 Caen, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vivien
authors.affiliation: Inserm, UMR-S U919 serine proteases and pathophysiology of the neurovascular unit, 14000 Caen, France. Electronic address: macrez@cyceron.fr.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Macrez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D057057:Serine Proteases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D057057:Serine Proteases; C067262:PLAT protein, human; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator
keywords: Activateur tissulaire du plasminogène; Brain; Central nervous system; Cerveau; Serine protease; Système nerveux central; Sérine protéase; Tissue-type plasminogen activator