Expression of alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein is increased in reactive and neoplastic glial cells.
alpha 2-Macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (alpha 2M-R/LRP) is a multi-functional cell-surface receptor that has been implicated in diverse physiologic processes. In normal human brain, alpha 2M-R/LRP is expressed principally by pyramidal neurons with localization to cell bodies and proximal processes. By contrast, alpha 2M-R/LRP is not present in either the cell bodies or processes of most normal macroglia (including astrocytes). In this investigation, we studied the expression of alpha 2M-R/LRP in the brain, following tissue injury or neoplastic transformation, by immunohistochemistry. Significantly increased alpha 2M-R/LRP immunoreactivity was identified in reactive astrocytes, indicating the expression of this receptor is regulated in vivo in response to brain injury. alpha 2M-R/LRP immunoreactivity was also detected in glial cell tumors; this finding is novel since malignant transformation is typically thought to turn off expression of this receptor.
Lopes
M B
MB
Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
Bogaev
C A
CA
Gonias
S L
SL
VandenBerg
S R
SR
D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005910:Glioma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic