Regulation of macrophage migration by a novel plasminogen receptor Plg-R KT

Shahrzad Lighvani1, Nagyung Baik, Jenna E Diggs

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Blood
|September 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A novel plasminogen receptor, Plg-R(KT), on macrophages is crucial for inflammatory cell recruitment. Blocking Plg-R(KT) inhibits macrophage invasion, migration, and recruitment, highlighting its role in inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Plasminogen receptors on macrophages are vital for inflammatory responses.
  • These receptors facilitate plasmin localization and pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (pro-MMP-9) activation.
  • A novel transmembrane plasminogen receptor, Plg-R(KT), exposing a C-terminal lysine, was recently identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the novel plasminogen receptor Plg-R(KT) in macrophage invasion, chemotactic migration, and recruitment.
  • To determine the impact of Plg-R(KT) on plasminogen activation and pro-MMP-9 activation in inflammatory processes.

Main Methods:

  • Monocytes and monocytoid cells were analyzed for Plg-R(KT) expression.
  • The effect of anti-Plg-R(KT) monoclonal antibody (mAb) on plasminogen activation by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) was assessed.
  • Macrophage invasion through Matrigel and chemotactic migration in response to MCP-1 were evaluated.
  • Macrophage recruitment in a mouse model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis was studied.
  • Pro-MMP-9 activation in vivo was measured.
  • Experiments were conducted in plasminogen-null mice.

Main Results:

  • Plg-R(KT) is highly expressed on human peripheral blood monocytes and monocytoid cells.
  • Anti-Plg-R(KT) mAb significantly inhibited plasminogen activation by uPA (39%).
  • Treatment with anti-Plg-R(KT) mAb substantially inhibited monocyte invasion (54%) and chemotactic migration (64%).
  • In vivo, anti-Plg-R(KT) mAb markedly inhibited macrophage recruitment (58%) and reduced pro-MMP-9 activation.
  • No further reduction in macrophage recruitment was observed in plasminogen-null mice.

Conclusions:

  • Plg-R(KT) plays a critical role in regulating macrophage invasion, chemotactic migration, and recruitment.
  • The receptor is essential for plasminogen-dependent processes in the inflammatory response.
  • Plg-R(KT) represents a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases.

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