Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1: physiology and role in renal pathophysiology

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 plays a prominant part in the regula tion of extra and intra-vascular fibrinolysis through the inhibition of pla smin formation. In addition to its role in the resolution of blood clots, P AI-1 is involved in a variety of other biological processes including extra cellular remodeling, cellular mobility, embryo implantation, development an d tumoral proliferation. Moreover, PAI-1 is also implicated in various path ological processes such as thromboembolic diseases, atherosclerosis and fib rosis formation, particulary in the kidney and the lung. Inhibition of PAI- 1 activity or of PAI-1 synthesis by specific antibodies, peptidic antagonis ts, antisens oligonucleotides or decoy oligonucleotides has been obtained i n vitro but need to be evaluated in vivo. All these findings may have new t herapeutical implications, explaining the importance of studies on PAI-1 pr oduction and regulation.