Romagnuolo R, et al. - Researchers assessed the role of potential receptors in regulating plasminogen activation and the ability of apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) to mediate inhibition of plasminogen activation on vascular and monocytic/macrophage cells via knockdown (siRNA or blocking antibodies) or overexpression of various candidate receptors. In order to determine apo(a) and plasminogen receptor interactions, binding assays were conducted. In mediating plasminogen activation, a role of receptors urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), α_Mβ₂, and α_Vβ₃ was highlighted. Via these receptors, apo(a) exerted inhibitory impacts on plasminogen activation. The necessity of identified domains in apo(a) for plasminogen activation inhibition was also reported. Findings also revealed uPAR bound to apo(a) in vitro.