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LRP: a bright beacon at the blood-brain barrier
1Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9046, USA. Joachim.Herz@UTSouthwestern.edu
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|November 18, 2003
Abstract:
Ever more unexpected roles for the LDL receptor gene family in a variety of cellular signaling pathways continue to emerge. Three recent studies now add another function to this collection. By interacting with active tissue-type plasminogen activator, LDL receptor-related protein appears to control permeability of the blood-brain barrier, vascular tone, and the expression of MMPs. All of these parameters impact upon postischemic infarct size following stroke. These novel findings are discussed in the context of known mechanisms of signaling by the LDL receptor family.