Vitronectin endows plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), the fast-acting inhibitor of both tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), with additional thrombin inhibitory properties. In view of the apparent association between PAI-1 and vitronectin in the endothelial cell matrix (ECM), we analyzed the interaction between PAI-1 and thrombin in t...

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is characterized by low mitogenic activity, high invasiveness, and vigorous production and accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). As it does in vivo, a cell line (ACCS) derived from a human AdCC grows very slowly and displays potential for production of a large amount of ECM. ACCS cells also produce a significant amount of proteolytic enzymes, including urok...

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1; SERPINE1) is a clade E1 member of the serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) superfamily and the major physiologic inhibitor of the urokinase (uPA) and tissuetype (tPA) plasminogen activators. Elevated PAI-1 expression is a significant causative factor in vascular disease and a major contributor to the pathophysiology of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke...

The serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitor, PAI-1, are key players in a proteolytic cascade involved in physiological and pathophysiological degradation and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. uPA, when bound to its cellular receptor uPA-R (CD87) efficiently converts plasminogen into the broad spectrum serine protease plasmin; its action on plasminogen...

OBJECTIVE A high level of work stress has been associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined the effect of work stress on a cluster of metabolic and hemostatic risk factors. METHODS Blood was collected three times, on the first, third, and fifth day of a work week, from 124 middle-aged, white-...