scholarly journals Targeting the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Human Diseases With a View to Non-invasive Imaging and Therapeutic Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Maja Leth ◽  
Michael Ploug
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Stromal Microenvironment ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Increased Risk

The interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) focalizes plasminogen activation to cell surfaces, thereby regulating extravascular fibrinolysis, cell adhesion, and migration. uPAR belongs to the Ly6/uPAR (LU) gene superfamily and the high-affinity binding site for uPA is assembled by a dynamic association of its three consecutive LU domains. In most human solid cancers, uPAR is expressed at the invasive areas of the tumor-stromal microenvironment. High levels of uPAR in resected tumors or shed to the plasma of cancer patients are robustly associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of relapse and metastasis. Over the years, a plethora of different strategies to inhibit uPA and uPAR function have been designed and investigated in vitro and in vivo in mouse models, but so far none have been implemented in the clinics. In recent years, uPAR-targeting with the intent of cytotoxic eradication of uPAR-expressing cells have nonetheless gained increasing momentum. Another avenue that is currently being explored is non-invasive imaging with specific uPAR-targeted reporter-molecules containing positron emitting radionuclides or near-infrared (NIR) florescence probes with the overarching aim of being able to: (i) localize disease dissemination using positron emission tomography (PET) and (ii) assist fluorescence guided surgery using optical imaging. In this review, we will discuss these advancements with special emphasis on applications using a small 9-mer peptide antagonist that targets uPAR with high affinity.

ON THE MECHANISM OF THE IN VIVO SYNERGISM BETWEEN TISSUE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR (t-PA) AND SINGLE CHAIN UROKINASE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR (scu-PA)

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Stassen ◽  
D Collen
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Sequential Therapy ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Molar Ratios ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator

t-PA and scu-PA, in molar ratios between 1:4 and 4:1 do not act synergically in vitro (Thromb. Haemost. 56,35,1986) but display marked synergism in a rabbit model (Circulation 74, 838, 1986) and in man (Am. Heart J. 112, 1083, 1986). To investigate the mechanism of in vivo synergism in the rabbit model (J. Clin. Invest. 71, 368, 1983), t-PA and scu-PA were infused 1) simultaneously over 4 hrs, 2) t-PA over 1 hr, then 15 min later scu-PA over 2 hrs and 3) scu-PA over 1 hr, then 15 min later t-PA over 2 hrs.Significant synergism on thrombolysis is observed when t-PA and scu-PA are infused simultaneously or when t-PA is followed by scu-PA but not when scu-PA is followed by t-PA. These results suggest that low dose t-PA induces some plasminogen activation, sufficient to partially degrade fibrin, exposing COOH-terminal lysines with high affinity for plasminogen (Eur. J. Biochem. 140, 513, 1984). scu-PA might then activate surface-bound Glu-pla-minogen more efficiently.Sequential therapy with t-PA (or any other agent which "predigests" the thrombus), followed by scu-PA might constitute an alternative to simultaneous infusion of synergistic thrombolytic agents.

Participation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in the clearance of fibrin from the lung

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (3) ◽  
pp. L573-L579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noboru Hattori ◽  
Thomas H. Sisson ◽  
Yin Xu ◽  
Tushar J. Desai ◽  
Richard H. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Cell Surface Receptor ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Surface Receptor ◽  
Species Specific

In vitro studies have demonstrated that the binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) to its cell surface receptor (uPAR) greatly accelerates plasminogen activation. However, the role of uPAR in clearing abnormal fibrin deposits from the lung is uncertain. Knowing that uPA binding to uPAR is species specific, we used adenoviral vectors to transfer human or murine uPA genes into human or mouse epithelial cells in vitro and to mouse lungs in vivo. By measuring degradation of fluorescein-labeled fibrin, we found that uPA lysed fibrin matrices more efficiently when expressed in cells of the same species. A monoclonal antibody that blocks the binding of human uPA to human uPAR suppressed fibrin degradation by human cells expressing human uPA but not murine uPA. Importantly, 3 days after intratracheal delivery of the vectors, mice receiving murine uPA transgenes degraded fibrin matrices formed within their air spaces more efficiently than animals transduced with human uPA genes. These results show that uPA bound to uPAR increases the efficiency of fibrinolysis on epithelial cell surfaces in a biologically relevant fashion.

scholarly journals In Vitro Study of the Fibrinolytic Activity via Single Chain Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator and Molecular Docking of FGFC1

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1816
Author(s):  
Chunli Gao ◽  
Quan Shen ◽  
Pengjie Tang ◽  
Yuling Cao ◽  
Houwen Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Fibrinolytic Activity ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator

Fungi fibrinolytic compound 1 (FGFC1) is a rare marine-derived compound that can enhance fibrinolysis both in vitro and in vivo. The fibrinolytic activity characterization of FGFC1 mediated by plasminogen (Glu-/Lys-) and a single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (pro-uPA) was further evaluated. The binding sites and mode of binding between FGFC1 and plasminogen were investigated by means of a combination of in vitro experiments and molecular docking. A 2.2-fold enhancement of fibrinolytic activity was achieved at 0.096 mM FGFC1, whereas the inhibition of fibrinolytic activity occurred when the FGFC1 concentration was above 0.24 mM. The inhibition of fibrinolytic activity of FGFC1 by 6-aminohexanoic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) together with the docking results revealed that the lysine-binding sites (LBSs) play a crucial role in the process of FGFC1 binding to plasminogen. The action mechanism of FGFC1 binding to plasminogen was inferred, and FGFC1 was able to induce plasminogen to exhibit an open conformation by binding through the LBSs. The molecular docking results showed that docking of ligands (EACA, FGFC1) with receptors (KR1–KR5) mainly occurred through hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. In addition, the binding affinity values of EACA to KR1–KR5 were −5.2, −4.3, −3.7, −4.5, and −4.3 kcal/moL, respectively, and those of FGFC1 to KR1–KR5 were −7.4, −9.0, −6.3, −8.3, and −6.7 kcal/moL, respectively. The findings demonstrate that both EACA and FGFC1 bound to KR1–KR5 with moderately high affinity. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the clinical pharmacology of FGFC1 and establish a foundation for practical applications of FGFC1.

scholarly journals Urokinase-type plasminogen activator is induced in migrating capillary endothelial cells.

1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 2535-2541 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Pepper ◽  
J D Vassalli ◽  
R Montesano ◽  
L Orci
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Cellular Migration ◽  
Endothelial Cell Migration ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator

Cellular migration is an essential component of invasive biological processes, many of which have been correlated with an increase in plasminogen activator production. Endothelial cell migration occurs in vivo during repair of vascular lesions and angiogenesis, and can be induced in vitro by wounding a confluent monolayer of cells. By combining the wounded monolayer model with a substrate overlay technique, we show that cells migrating from the edges of an experimental wound display an increase in urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) activity, and that this activity reverts to background levels upon cessation of movement, when the wound has closed. Our results demonstrate a direct temporal relationship between endothelial cell migration and uPA activity, and suggest that induction of uPA activity is a component of the migratory process.

Behaviour and Quantitation of Extrinsic (Tissue-Type) Plasminogen Activator in Human Blood

1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (02) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kluft ◽  
A F H Jie ◽  
R A Allen
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Venous Occlusion ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Uterine Tissue ◽  
Tissue Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Type Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Baseline Values

SummaryFunctional assay of extrinsic (tissue-type) plasminogen activator (EPA) in plasma on fibrin plates was evaluated. Using specific quenching antibodies, we demonstrated the method to be specific for EPA under all conditions tested. Contributions of urokinases and intrinsic activators were excluded. The quantity of EPA in blood samples, as compared with purified uterine tissue activator, shows 1 blood activator unit (BAU) to be comparable to 0.93 ng.The median values for EPA activity for healthy volunteers were: baseline, 1.9 BAU/ml (n = 123); diurnal, 5.5 BAU/ml (n = 12); DDAVP administration, 11.7 BAU/ml (n = 39); exhaustive exercise, 25 BAU/ml (n = 24); venous occlusion (15 min), 35 BAU/ml (n = 61). A large inter-individual variation in EPA activity was found, while individual baseline values tended to be constant for periods of weeks.In vitro in blood EPA activity shows a disappearance of 50% in about 90 min at 37° C; EPA activity in euglobulin fractions is stable for ≤2 hr at 37° C.A rapid decrease in EPA activity occurs in vivo, as noted after extracorporal circulation and exercise stimulation (t½ decay, 2-5 min).

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