Role of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein in mouse lung.

ABSTRACT: Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein (uPARAP, or Endo180) is a transmembrane endocytic receptor that mediates collagen internalization and degradation. uPARAP may be a novel pathway for collagen turnover and matrix remodeling in the lung. The function of uPARAP in lung injury has not been described. We analyzed the pulmonary mechanics of uPARAP(-/-) and wild-type mice at baseline and examined their response after bleomycin instillation. We compared collagen internalization in primary mouse lung fibroblasts (MLFs) from wild-type and uPARAP(-/-) mice using flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy, and we examined the role of cytokines in regulating uPARAP expression and collagen internalization. We show that uPARAP is highly expressed in the lung, and that uPARAP(-/-)

SUBMITTER: Bundesmann MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3297169 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature