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The Role of the Fibrinolytic System in Corneal Angiogenesis

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Abstract

The plasminogen activation system has been implicated in angiogenesis and angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and ocular diseases. The identification and development of inhibitors of angiogenesis offer new possibilities for the treatment of these diseases. To clarify the role of proteins involved in the regulation of fibrinolysis during corneal angiogenesis, we have studied corneal vessel formation in mice deficient for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Our results corroborate earlier findings that angiogenesis in the mouse cornea is dependent on PAI-1 and plasminogen. The absence of tPA, uPA or TAFI did not affect the formation of new vessels in the cornea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. Mathijs Vogten & Inne H.M. Borel Rinkes

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Arie Reijerkerk, Emile E. Voest & Martijn F.B.G. Gebbink

  3. Department of Haematology, Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Joost C.M. Meijers

  4. Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Joost C.M. Meijers

  5. Department of Haematology – G03.647, Thrombosis and Haemostasis Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Martijn F.B.G. Gebbink

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  1. J. Mathijs Vogten
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  2. Arie Reijerkerk
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Correspondence to Martijn F.B.G. Gebbink.

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Vogten, J.M., Reijerkerk, A., Meijers, J.C. et al. The Role of the Fibrinolytic System in Corneal Angiogenesis. Angiogenesis 6, 311–316 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AGEN.0000029414.24060.fe

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