| Abstrakt: |
Urokinase-plasminogen activator (uPA) is a multifunctional fibrinolytic protein activating growth factors, inducing proteolytic cascades, modulating cytokines, regulating receptor shedding, cellular phenotypic modulation and protein expression. These mechanisms underlie the ability of uPA to stimulate the key processes of vascular remodelling, atherosclerosis progression, restenosis and angiogenesis, -- cell migration and proliferation. We summarized data received by us and others concerning the role of uPA in blood vessel remodelling and growth. At the present stage, the uPA may be considered as a perspective target for influences directed on both the prevention of negative arterial remodelling and restenosis as well as the stimulation of vessel growth at ischemic diseases. |
