The Role of Secondary Growth Factor Production in Thrombin-lnduced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract
α-Thrombin is a multifunctional serine proteinase that is concentrated at sites of vascular injury and has been implicated in vascular healing responses following balloon injury. In addition to its well-known hemostatic effects, thrombin stimulates smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation via binding of protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), a seven transmembrane, G-protein-coupled cell surface receptor. Following activation of this receptor, SMC produce and secrete various autocrine growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HBEGF), and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). The role that autocrine growth factors play in α-thrombin-induced proliferation will be discussed in this review.

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