Summary
Elevated plasma concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1),
also named serpin E1, are encountered in patients with thrombophilia, atherosclerosis,
septicemia and the metabolic syndrome and may be associated with an increased risk
of complications. Expression of PAI-1 is increased by inflammatory stimuli and decreased
by statins, drugs widely used in patients with cardiovascular disease. Increased expression
of PAI-1 by inflammatory stimuli is mediated by a large variety of signal transduction
pathways, which include the NF-κB and MAP kinase pathways. The downregulating effect
of statins on PAI-1 expression is dependent on the inhibition of Rho family proteins
and may involve an activation of PI-3 kinase/Akt signaling pathways. In this review
we summarize the findings on the effect of inflammation and statins on PAI-1 expression.
Keywords
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 - gene regulation - inflammation - statins