Tissue plasminogen activator (tpa, tpa) Health Dictionary

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tpa, Tpa): From 1 Different Sources


A natural PROTEIN that occurs in the body. It has the property of breaking down a THROMBUS in a blood vessel (see THROMBOLYSIS). It is e?ective only in the presence of FIBRIN and activates plasminogen, which occurs normally on the surface of the ?brin. TPA is an important thrombolytic treatment immediately after a myocardial infarction (see HEART, DISEASES OF).
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Connective Tissue

Sometimes called ?brous tissue, this is one of the most abundant tissues in the body, holding together the body’s many di?erent structures. Connective tissue comprises a matrix of substances called mucopolysaccharides in which are embedded various specialist tissues and cells. These include elastic (yellow), collagenous (white) and reticular ?bres as well as macrophages (see MACROPHAGE) and MAST CELLS. Assembled in di?ering proportions, this provides structures with varying functions: bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and fatty and elastic tissues. Collagenous connective tissue binds the muscles together and provides the substance of skin. It is also laid down in wound repair, forming the scar tissue. Contracting with time, connective tissue becomes denser, causing the puckering that is typical in serious wounds or burns. (See ADHESION; SCAR; WOUNDS.)... connective tissue

Adipose Tissue

Adipose tissue, or fat, is a loose variety of ?brous tissue in the meshes of which lie cells, each of which is distended by several small drops, or one large drop, of fat. This tissue replaces ?brous tissue when the amount of food taken is in excess of the bodily requirements. Adipose tissue occurs as a layer beneath the skin and also around several internal organs. (See DIET; FAT; OBESITY.)... adipose tissue

Tissue

A collection of cells similar in structure or function.... tissue

Tissue Typing

The essential procedure for matching the tissue of a recipient in need of transplanted tissue or organ to that of a potential donor. Unless there is a reasonable match, the recipient’s immune system (see IMMUNITY) will reject the donor’s organ. The main factors that are relevant to an individual’s reaction to donor tissue are called histocompatability antigens (see ANTIGEN). These are mostly human leucocyte antigens (HLAs – see HLA SYSTEM) present on the surface of cells. HLAs are inherited and, like ?ngerprints, unique to an individual, although identical twins have identical HLAs and hence are perfect matches for TRANSPLANTATION procedures.... tissue typing

Elastic Tissue

CONNECTIVE TISSUE which contains a profusion of yellow elastic ?bres. Long, slender and branching, these ?bres (made up of elastin, an albumin-like PROTEIN) ensure that the elastic tissue is ?exible and stretchable. The dermis layer of the skin, arterial walls and the alveolar walls in the LUNGS all contain elastic tissue.... elastic tissue

Lymphoid Tissue

Tissue involved in the formation of LYMPH, lymphocytes (see LYMPHOCYTE), and ANTIBODIES. It consists of the LYMPH NODES, THYMUS GLAND, TONSILS and SPLEEN.... lymphoid tissue

Plasminogen

A precursor of PLASMIN, an ENZYME that digests the protein FIBRIN – the main constituent of blood clots (see COAGULATION). When tissue is damaged, activators are released which provoke the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin.... plasminogen

Connective Tissue Disorders

A group of generalised in?ammatory diseases that affect CONNECTIVE TISSUE in almost any system in the body. The term does not include those disorders of genetic origin. RHEUMATIC FEVER and RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS were traditionally classi?ed in this group, as were those diseases classed under the outdated heading COLLAGEN DISEASES.... connective tissue disorders

Fibrous Tissue

See CONNECTIVE TISSUE.... fibrous tissue

Gamgee Tissue

A surgical dressing composed of a thick layer of cotton-wool between two layers of absorbent gauze, introduced by the Birmingham surgeon, Sampson Gamgee (1828–1886). Gamgee tissue has been a registered trademark since 1911.... gamgee tissue

Adrenal-activator

An agent which stimulates the adrenal glands thereby increasing secretion of cortisol and adrenal hormones. A herb with a mild cortico-steroid effect. Liquorice. Ginseng. Sarsaparilla. ... adrenal-activator

Connective Tissue Diseases

Types of autoimmune disorders that often affect blood vessels and produce secondary connective tissue damage. They include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa, scleroderma, and dermatomyositis.... connective tissue diseases

Granulation Tissue

A mass of red, moist, granular tissue that develops on the surface of an ulcer or open wound during the process of healing.... granulation tissue

Plasminogen Activator

See tissue plasminogen activator.... plasminogen activator

Soft-tissue Injury

Damage to the tissues (see ligament; tendon; muscle) that surround bones and joints.... soft-tissue injury

Tissue Fluid

The watery liquid present in the tiny gaps between body cells, also known as interstitial fluid.... tissue fluid

Tissue-plasminogen Activator

A substance produced by body tissues that prevents abnormal blood clotting. Also called , it is produced by the inner lining of blood vessels. can be prepared artificially for use as a thrombolytic drug, which is called alteplase. This is used in the treatment of myocardial infarction, severe angina pectoris, and arterial embolism, including pulmonary embolism. Possible side effects include bleeding or the formation of a haematoma at the injection site and an allergic reaction. (See also fibrinolysis.)... tissue-plasminogen activator

Areolar Tissue

loose *connective tissue consisting of a meshwork of collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibres interspersed with numerous connective tissue cells. It binds the skin to underlying muscles and forms a link between organs while allowing a high degree of relative movement.... areolar tissue

Conducting Tissue

a collection of specialized cells that transmits electricity within the heart. It may be normal (e.g. the *sinoatrial node) or abnormal (e.g. an *accessory pathway).... conducting tissue

Connective-tissue Disease

any one of a group of diseases that are characterized by inflammatory changes in connective tissue and can affect virtually any body system. Formerly known as collagen diseases (connective-tissue disease has been the preferred term since 1978), they include *dermatomyositis, systemic and discoid *lupus erythematosus, *morphoea, *polyarteritis nodosa, and *rheumatoid arthritis.... connective-tissue disease

Human Tissue Authority

the UK government agency, established by the Human Tissue Act 2004, that regulates the removal, use, and storage of human organs and tissue from both the living and the deceased for certain purposes as defined by the statute. These purposes include clinical research, clinical audit, and medical education. Anyone handling such material for those purposes should have a licence issued by the authority. Membership of the authority comprises clinical, scientific, academic, and lay representatives.... human tissue authority

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

a disease with features in common with systemic *lupus erythematosus, *polymyositis, and *scleroderma. It is characterized by high levels of antibodies to ribonucleoprotein and most commonly affects women between 20 and 40 years of age.... mixed connective tissue disease

Myeloid Tissue

a tissue in the *bone marrow in which the various classes of blood cells are produced. See also haemopoiesis.... myeloid tissue

Plasminogen Activators

enzymes that convert the inactive substance *plasminogen to the active enzyme *plasmin, which digests blood clots (see fibrinolysis). There are two types of plasminogen activators, *tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-like plasminogen activator (uPA). See blood coagulation.... plasminogen activators

Potassium-channel Activator

any one of a class of drugs that enhance the movement of potassium ions through the *ion channels in cell membranes. In the case of smooth muscle cells, such as those in the walls of arteries, their sensitivity to the normal stimuli to contract is reduced. The result is relaxation of the muscle fibres and widening of the arteries. Potassium-channel activators are used for improving the blood supply to the heart muscle in angina pectoris. Possible side-effects include headache, flushing, vomiting, dizziness, and weakness. A currently available member of the class is nicorandil.... potassium-channel activator

Tissue Culture

the culture of living tissues, removed from the body, in a suitable medium supplied with nutrients and oxygen. Tissue engineering, in which skin, cartilage, and other connective-tissue cells are cultured on a *fibronectin ‘mat’ to create new tissues, is being explored for use in tissue grafting for patients with burns, sports injuries, etc.... tissue culture

Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator

(tPA, TPA) a natural protein, found in the body and able to be manufactured by genetic engineering, that can break up a thrombus (see thrombolysis). It requires the presence of *fibrin as a cofactor and is able to activate *plasminogen on the fibrin surface, which distinguishes it from the other plasminogen activators, *streptokinase and *urokinase. tPAs include reteplase and tenecteplase, given to treat acute myocardial infarction, and *alteplase.... tissue-type plasminogen activator



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