tissue-type plasminogen activator

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tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA, TPA) n. a natural protein, found in the body and now able to be manufactured by genetic engineering, that can break up a thrombus (see thrombolysis). It requires the presence of fibrin as a cofactor and capable of activating plasminogen on the fibrin surface, which distinguishes it from the other plasminogen activators streptokinase and urokinase.