Fibrinolytic system protein

The fibrinolytic system is a physiological network of enzymes, enzyme regulators, and receptors responsible for dissolving blood clots (fibrinolysis) by degrading fibrin, the end product of blood coagulation. The central enzyme, plasmin, is generated from plasminogen by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or urokinase, processes tightly regulated by inhibitors such as PAI-1 and α2-antiplasmin. This system maintains vascular patency, prevents pathological thrombosis, and facilitates normal wound healing, tissue remodeling, and protein homeostasis. Therapeutics targeting individual components (mostly activators or inhibitors) are used clinically in thrombotic diseases and in the control of bleeding. As a group term, “fibrinolytic system proteins” refers to this collection rather than a unique molecular drug target.

Other names

Plasminogen–plasmin systemFibrinolytic proteinsFibrinolysis system proteinsPlasmin system

Enzyme activation (e.g., tPA, urokinase activate plasminogen to plasmin); Enzyme inhibition (e.g., tranexamic acid, aprotinin inhibit plasmin or its formation)