Differences in the activation rates of plasminogen by tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase

Abstract

The activation of a native form of plasminogen (Glu-plg) by tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) was enhanced when the plasma was clotted by the addition of thrombin or thrombin plus Ca++. Cross-linking of fibrin in the clotted plasma did not inhibit the fibrin-associated enhancement of the activation of plasminogen by t-PA. When fibrinolysis induced by t-PA in the clotted plasma was measured using enzyme immunoassay, lysis of non cross-linked fibrin in the clotted plasma was faster than lysis of cross-linked fibrin, however such decrease in the extent of fibrinolysis was observed in cross-linked fibrin even in the absence of alpha 2antiplasmin (alpha 2AP) in a purified system. When Glu- or Lys-plg (modified plg) was activated by t-PA, the presence of fibrin enhanced significantly the extent of activation of both Glu- and Lys-plg, but the activation of Glu-plg by urokinase (UK) was enhanced in the presence of fibrin. The activation of Lys-plg by UK was rather inhibited in the presence of fibrin.