Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor: at the nexus of fibrinolysis and inflammation

Abstract

TAFI (thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) is the precursor of a basic carboxypeptidase (TAFIa) with strong antifibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory activity. Compelling evidence indicates that thrombin, either alone or in complex with thrombomodulin, is the main physiological activator of TAFI. For this reason derangements of thrombin formation, whatever the cause, may influence the fibrinolytic process too. Experimental models of thrombosis suggest that TAFI may participate in thrombus development and persistence under certain circumstances. In several models of pharmacological thrombolysis, the administration of TAFI inhibitors along with the fibrinolytic agent leads to a marked improvement of thrombus lysis, underscoring the potential of TAFI inhibitors as adjuvants for thrombolytic therapy. The role of TAFI in inflammatory diseases is more complex as it may serve as a defense mechanism, exacerbate the disease, or have no influence, depending on the nature of the model and the role played by the mediators controlled by TAFIa. Finally, the numerous clinical studies in patients with thrombotic disease support the idea that increased levels of TAFI and/or the enhancement of TAFI activation may represent a new risk factor for venous and arterial thrombosis.


Autore Pugliese

Tutti gli autori

  • COLUCCI M.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile


Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

0049-3848

ISBN

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Wos

36

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Numero di citazioni Scopus

38

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile


Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile