OBJECTIVETo report a patient with congenital plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) deficiency and explore its molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe activities of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), alpha(2) antiplasmin (alpha(2)AP) and PAI-1 were measured by the methods of chromogenic substrate, the antigens of tPA and PAI-1 were measured by ELISA. PAI-1 gene was studied by PCR product sequencing and restriction endonuclease ana-lysing.

RESULTSIn the present patient, the euglobulin clot lysis time was 70 minutes and was corrected to normal range after added 50 ng/ml PAI-1 to his plasma. The activities of t-PA, alpha(2)AP, and factor were normal; the activity and antigen of PAI-1 in plasma were both significantly decreased. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the patient had a heterozygous missense mutation in exon 2, a G to A transition at nucleotide 43. The possibility of gene polymorphism was excluded by restriction endonuclease analysing.

CONCLUSIONSIt is the first patient with congenital PAI-1 deficiency reported in China. The PAI-1 deficiency in the patient may be caused by compound heterozygosity, one of which is the G to A transition at nt43, a new mutation in congenital PAI-1 deficiency.

Adult ; Base Sequence ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; deficiency ; genetics

Actins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; enzymology ; virology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) polymorphisms and endometrial hypoplasia in infertile women.

METHODSThe study was conducted in 105 primary infertile patients with endometrial hypoplasia diagnosed by pathology and the thickness of endometrium by B-mode ultrasound and 85 controls who were not pregnant and had normal fertility. The -675 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymerphim analysis.

RESULTSThe frequencies of 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele of the PAI-1 gene were higher in the patient group (48.6% and 66.2%) than in the normal controls (22.4% and 47.1%) (P < 0.01). ThePAI-1 4G/4G genotype was significantly associated with endometrial hypoplasia in the infertile patients (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.10-10.12).

CONCLUSIONThe present findings suggest that the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene was associated with endometrial hypoplasia in infertile patients.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; genetics ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Diseases ; genetics ; Women's Health

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between a single nucleotide insertion/deletion(4G/5G) polymorphism located in the promoter region of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) gene and the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome(PIHs).

METHODSThe 4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene in 171 PIHs patients (PIHs group) and that in 193 normal pregnant women (control group) were detected by a combination of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS(1)The genotype frequencies of PAI-1 gene in PIHs group were 47.4% for 4G/4G, 41.5% for 4G/5G, and 11.1% for 5G/5G. The 4G/4G genotype and 4G allele frequencies of PAI-1 gene(47.4% and 0.681) for PIHs patients were higher than those (21.2% and 0.495) for normal controls respectively (P<0.001). (2)Both the 4G/4G genotype and the 4G allele of PAI-1 gene occurred more frequently in the severe PIHs group(61.3% and 0.758) than those (35.8% and 0.623) in the mild PIHs group respectively (P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between those in mild group (35.8% and 0.623) and moderate group(42.8% and 0.625) respectively. (3) The 4G/4G genotype was significantly associated with PIHs (OR=3.34, 95%CI: 2.14-5.22).

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggested that PAI-1 gene polymorphism may be a susceptible factor to the pathogenesis of PIHs and the 4G/4G genotype may be one of the major risk factors for PIHs in pregnant women.

Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of antisense KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) gene on the expression of vWF and PAI-1 in endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were isolated from umbilical vein and cultured in endothelial cell medium. The recombinant adenoviral plasmid carrying the antisense KLF4 gene was constructed by homologous recombination. KLF4, PAI-1 and vWF mRNAs and proteins expression were detected by real time-PCR, Western blot, and confocal laser microscopy.

RESULTSRecombinant adenoviral plasmid carrying the antisense KLF4 gene (Ad-KLF4AS) was constructed successfully. Compared with the control Ad-GFP infection group, Ad-KLF4AS at a 200 MOI can down-regulate the expression of KLF4 gene in HUVEC (from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 0.44 ± 0.06) (P < 0.05), and increase vWF mRNA (from 1.04 ± 0.03 to 1.17 ± 0.05) and protein expression (P < 0.05). PAI-1 mRNA and protein of Ad-KLF4AS infection group was higher than that of Ad-GFP infection group. PAI-1 mRNA between the two groups had no significant difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDown-regulation of KLF4 leads to increase in expression of vWF and PAI-1 in endothelial cells. KLF4 might play an important role in regulation of endothelial coagulant function.

Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelium ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have proved that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) possesses angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, the proangiogenic mechanism of BDNF has not yet been provided with enough information. To explore the proangiogenic mechanism of BDNF, we investigated the effects of BDNF on extracellular proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and serine proteases, particularly the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-plasmin system in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model.

METHODSTube formation assay was performed in vitro to evaluate the effects of BDNF on angiogenesis. The HUVECs were treated with various concentrations of BDNF (25 - 400 ng/ml) for different (6 - 48 hours), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assay MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 mRNA in HUVECs, and the conditioned medium was analyzed for MMP and uPA activity by gelatin zymography and fibrin zymography, respectively. uPA, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and TIMP-2 were quantified by western blotting analysis.

RESULTSBDNF elicited robust and elongated angiogeneis in two-dimensional cultures of HUVECs in comparison with control. The stimulation of serum-starved HUVECs with BDNF caused obvious increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression and induced the pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 activation without significant differences in proliferation. However, BDNF had no effect on TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 production. BDNF increased uPA and PAI-1 production in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal activation of uPA and PAI-1 expression in HUVECs was induced by 100 ng/ml BDNF, while effects of 200 ng/ml and 400 ng/ml BDNF were slightly reduced in comparison with with those of 100 ng/ml. Protease activity for uPA was also increased by BDNF in a dose-dependent manner. BDNF also stimulated uPA and PAI-1 production beyond that in control cultures in a time-dependent manner from 12 hours to 48 hours after BDNF treatment.

CONCLUSIONSBDNF stimulates MMP and uPA/PAI-1 proteolytic network in HUVECs, which may be important to the acquisition of proangiogenic potential.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; genetics

BACKGROUNDHypertension (HTN) is a major determinant of various cardiovascular events. Plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) modulate this risk. A deletion/insertion polymorphism within the PAI-1 loci (4G/4G, 4G/5G, 5G/5G) affects the expression of this gene. The present study investigated the association between PAI-1 loci polymorphisms and HTN in Korean women.

METHODSKorean women (n = 1312) were enrolled in this study to evaluate the association between PAI-1 4G/5G gene polymorphisms and HTN as well as other metabolic risk factors. PAI-1 loci polymorphisms were investigated using polymerase chain reaction amplification and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSThe three genotype groups differed with respect to systolic blood pressure (P = 0.043), and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.009) but not with respect to age, body mass index, total cholesterol, low or high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or fasting blood glucose. Carriers of the PAI-1 4G allele had more hypertension significantly (PAI-1 4G/5G vs. PAI-1 5G/5G, P = 0.032; PAI-1 4G/4G vs. PAI-1 5G/5G, P = 0.034). When stratified according to PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism, there was no significant difference in all metabolic parameters among PAI-1 genotype groups in patients with HTN as well as subjects with normal blood pressure. The estimated odds ratio of the 4G/4G genotype and 4G/5G for HTN was 1.7 (P = 0.005), and 1.6 (P = 0.015), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese findings might indicate that PAI-1 loci polymorphisms independently contribute to HTN and that gene-environmental interaction may be not associated in Korean women.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the 4G/5G polymorphism located in the promoter region of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) gene with prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese Hans.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty five patients with CAD and 190 unrelated healthy control individuals were included in the study. The 4G/5G polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. A follow-up survey of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and analysis of the relationship between the severity of coronary vessels and PAI-1 gene polymorphism were carried out.

RESULTS(1) The frequency of 4G/4G genotype of PAI-1 gene was higher in CAD patients than in controls (58/155, 37.42% vs 52/190, 27.37%, P< 0.01). (2) The frequency of 4G/4G genotype of PAI-1 in patients with MACE was higher than that in patients without MACE (40/81, 49.38% vs 18/74, 23.42%; P< 0.01). (3) The frequency of 4G/4G genotype in patients with multivessel disease was higher than that in patients with single-vessel disease (30/47, 44.77% vs 9/37, 24.32%; P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 4G/5G polymorphism located in the promoter region of PAI-1 gene was associated with prognosis of CAD patients, and may be regarded as a biomarker of the severity of the involved vessels.

Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G gene polymorphism and the occurrence of myocardial and cerebrovascular infarctions in individuals from Tianjin, China.

METHODSThe PAI-1 genotype was determined using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) in 56 myocardial infarction (MI) patients, 54 cerebrovascular infarction (CI) patients and 83 unrelated healthy controls. All subjects' clinical features and plasma PAI-1 activity levels were determined.

RESULTSThe PAI-1 genotype distribution frequency of the single guanine deletion/insertion 4G/5G polymorphism (located -675 bp upstream from the start of transcription) significantly differed between the patients and healthy controls. In the MI group, the 4G/4G-genotype frequency was increased, but the 4G/5G-genotype is decreased when compared to the control group. In the CI group, both the 4G/4G- and 4G/5G -genotypes occurred at a lower frequency than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The plasma PAI-1 activity level in the MI group was lowered as the presence of the 4G allele decreases. In the CI group, the frequency of 5G/5G was much higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). The plasma PAI-1 activity level in the CI group was elevated as the presence of the 5G allele increased. Furthermore, positive correlation between triglyceride, glucose levels and PAI-1 activity were found in all three groups (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe PAI-1 4G/5G gene polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of MI and CI in individuals in Tianjin, China. The deletion/insertion polymorphism is probably an important hereditary risk factor for heart diseases. Moreover, triglyceride and glucose levels of plasma have functional importance in regulating PAI-1 activity.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Cerebral Infarction ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo study the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney of KKAy mice with type 2 diabetes.

METHODSKKAy mice, a type 2 diabetic animal model, and C57BL-J mice were sacrificed at 16, 20, and 24 weeks of age, respectively. The local expression of renal laminin was analyzed with immunohistochemistry. Chromogenic substance was used to show the activity of PAI-1. The mRNA expression of tPA was determined by RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of PAI-1 was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSLaminnin expression was significantly increased in all age groups of KKAy mice. The tPA mRNA was significantly lower than that in C57BL mice, especially at the age of 16w (only 47%). Otherwise the PAI-1 mRNA expression was remarkably up-regulated than that in C57BL mice.

CONCLUSIONIn type 2 diabetes KKAy mice, the accumulation of ECM may be associated with the abnormal expression of PAI-1/tPA mRNA.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; biosynthesis ; genetics