ENHANCEMENT OF UROKINASE-INDUCED PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATION BY THE CATIONIC PROTEIN OF HUMAN EOSINOPHIL GRANULOCYTES

The highly cationic protein derived from the granules of human eosinophil granulocytes (ECP) enhanced the urokinase-induced plasminogen activation by a time- and dose-dependent mechanism but independent of temperature. The effect of ECP seemed directed towards the plasminogen molecule. The optimal reaction occurred at a mol:mol relationship between ECP and plasminogen of approximately 1:1 but no complex formation was demonatrated between the proteins. The eosinophil granulocyte may be a participant in fibrinolysis.