Abstract
The blood coagulation and the fibrinolytic (or plasminogen/plasmin) systems determine
the balance between the formation and dissolution of blood clots, but in addition
contribute to the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular disorders such as thrombosis,
atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Furthermore, they participate in a variety of other
(patho)-biological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, wound healing,
cancer, and brain function. Two recently developed technologies, gene targeting and
gene transfer, that allow manipulation of the genetic balance of these proteinase
systems in a controllable manner have allowed a more definitive elucidation of the
biological role of these systems. This review summarizes the insights that have been
obtained from the gene targeting studies and discusses the use of adenovirus-mediated
transfer of fibrinolytic genes to study and possibly to develop novel strategies for
the treatment of restenosis and thrombosis.
Keywords:
Transgenic mice - fibrinolysis - plasminogen system - coagulation system - adenovirus
- gene therapy - atherosclerosis - hemostasis - restenosis
