Alpha 2-antiplasmin

Alpha 2-antiplasmin (or α2-antiplasmin or plasmin inhibitor) is a is_associated_with::serine protease inhibitor (serpin) responsible for inactivating is_associated_with::plasmin, an important is_associated_with::enzyme that participates in is_associated_with::fibrinolysis and degradation of various other proteins. This protein is encoded by the SERPINF2 gene.



Role in disease
Very few cases (<20) of A2AP deficiency have been described. As plasmin degrades blood clots, impaired inhibition of plasmin leads to a bleeding tendency, which was severe in the cases reported.

In liver is_associated_with::cirrhosis, there is decreased production of alpha 2-antiplasmin, leading to decreased inactivation of is_associated_with::plasmin and an increase in is_associated_with::fibrinolysis. This is associated with an increase risk of bleeding in liver disease.

Interactions
Alpha 2-antiplasmin has been shown to interact with:
 * is_associated_with::Neutrophil elastase and
 * is_associated_with::Plasmin.