Inhibition of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) by pooled plasma could be ascribed for only 60% to the endothelial cell type PA inhibitor. The residual inhibition is ascribed to a so-far undescribed plasma component present at 0.2 nmol/l. This component shows reversible binding to t-PA with an apparent Ki of 10 pmol/l (does not hinder t-PA binding to fibrin); also reacts with urokinase, but not with DIP-t-PA; is stable at 37 degrees C and does not occur in media of endothelial cells, hepatocytes and fibroblasts. This PA binding component in plasma adds to the regulation of plasminogen activator activities.