Summary
The plasminogen activation system is part of the fibrinolysis which is tightly regulated
and protected against dysfunction by various activators and inhibitors. However, microorganisms
including bacteria, fungi and also parasites have been proven to interact in a specific
manner with components of the fibrinolytic pathways. Pathogenic bacteria are capable
to subvert the function of proteases, activators or inhibitors for their own benefits
including dissemination within the host and evasion of host inflammatory immune response.
Here, we provide a state of the art overview of the divers strategies employed by
bacteria to interact with components of the fibrinolytic system and to exploit the
system for invasion. Moreover, the role of factors of the fibrinolytic cascade in
inflammatory host response due to different bacterial infections will be presented.
Keywords
Plasminogen - inflammation - urokinase/receptor - plasminogen activator inhibitor
- bacterial infection