| abstract |
Novel drug targets for the treatment or prevention of arthritis are provided. Screening methods for inhibitors of the plasminogen-activation pathway, such as, for example, antagonists or inhibitors of the urokinase-type okasnubigeb actuvatir (uPA), plasminogen-activator tzpe 1 (PAI-1), the urokinase activator receptor (uPAR), and plasmin, are used to ientify novel drugs for treating or preventing the progression of arthritis. Such screening methods, or methods for evaluating whether a drug is useful for treating or preventing arthritis, can also be conducted in animal models described herein. Methods of treating or preventing such diseases are also provided. |