Regulation of plasminogen activator activity in arthritic joints

Abstract

The plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin system has been implicated in the inflammation and connective tissue remodelling occurring in arthritic joints. PA activity is detected in cultures of human monocytes, synoviocytes and chondrocytes and can be regulated by a variety of cytokines found in diseased joints; PA inhibitors (PAI-1 and/or PAI-2) are also produced by these cells. We have shown that human monocytes can synthesize both urokinase-type PA (u-PA) and tissue-type PA (t-PA). One cytokine present in rheumatoid synovial fluids, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), stimulates monocyte u-PA production; since this cytokine can also be produced by activated monocytes an..