Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis
and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in …

Proteases are signaling molecules that specifically control cellular functions by cleaving
protease-activated receptors (PARs). The four known PARs are members of the large family …

Abstract Ossovskaya, Valeria S., and Nigel W. Bunnett. Protease-Activated Receptors:
Contribution to Physiology and Disease. Physiol Rev 84: 579–621, 2004; 10.1152/physrev …

Although serine proteases are usually considered to act principally as degradative enzymes,
certain proteases are signaling molecules that specifically regulate cells by cleaving and …

Astrocytes, once relegated to a mere supportive role in the central nervous system, are now
recognized as a heterogeneous class of cells with many important and diverse functions …

Thrombin activity is a factor in acute CNS trauma and may contribute to such chronic
neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's disease. Thrombin is a multifunctional serine …

Background and Purpose—Edema formation after intracerebral hemorrhage has been
linked to thrombin toxicity induced by the clot. However, thrombin at low concentrations …

To say that thrombin is a multi-functional protein is rather to understate the case. It is the key
enzyme involved in haemostasis, playing important roles at all levels of complexity. First, in …

Thrombin has multiple functions, including its function as a key enzyme during blood
coagulation and other physiologic activities. We studied brain tissue reactions to thrombin …

1 Proteases regulate cells by cleaving proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs). Thrombin and
trypsin cleave PAR‐1 and PAR‐2 on neurons and astrocytes of the brain to regulate …