Mechanisms of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)-mediated atherosclerosis: role of the uPA receptor and S100A8/A9 proteins.

ABSTRACT: Data from clinical studies, cell culture, and animal models implicate the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)/uPA receptor (uPAR)/plasminogen system in the development of atherosclerosis and aneurysms. However, the mechanisms through which uPA/uPAR/plasminogen stimulate these diseases are not yet defined. We used genetically modified, atherosclerosis-prone mice, including mice with macrophage-specific uPA overexpression and mice genetically deficient in uPAR to elucidate mechanisms of uPA/uPAR/plasminogen-accelerated atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation. We found that macrophage-specific uPA overexpression accelerates atherosclerosis and causes aortic root dilation in fat-fed Ldlr(-/-) mice (as we previously reported in Apoe(-/-) mice). Macrophage-expressed uPA accelerates atherosclero

SUBMITTER: Farris SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3121410 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature