Proinflammatory activation of human macrophages by the serine protease plasmin [Elektronische Ressource] : characterization of signaling pathways / submitted by Qun Li

Ulm University Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology Head: Prof. Dr. Th. Simmet Proinflammatory activation of human macrophages by the serine protease plasmin Characterization of signaling pathways Thesis Presented to the Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, to obtain the degree of a Doctor of Human Biology Submitted by Qun Li From China 2008 Amtierender Dekan: Prof. Dr. Klaus-Michael Debatin 1. Berichterstatter : Prof. Dr. Thomas Simmet 2. Berichterstatter : Prof. Dr. Johannes M. Weiss Tag der Promotion : 12.12.2008 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS__________________________________________________1 ABBREVIATIONS ______________________________________________________3 1. INTRODUCTION _____________________________________________________7 1.1. IMMUNE CELLS______________________________________________________7 1.1.1. Macrophages and monocytes_______________________________________8 1.1.2. Macrophages and monocytes in the immune response ___________________8 1.1.3. The role of macrophages in atherosclerosis ___________________________9 1.2. IL-6 FAMILY CYTOKINES ______________________________________________9 1.2.1. IL-6 family cytokines and their receptors _____________________________9 1.2.2. JAK⁄STAT signaling pathways _____________________________________13 1.3.