Patented biological approaches for the therapeutic modulation of the 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor.
BACKGROUND
The 37/67 kDa laminin receptor precursor/laminin receptor (LRP/LR) represents a multifunctional protein located on the cell surface, in the cytosol and the nucleus. The receptor acts as a mediator for cell adhesion, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. It is a key player in invasion and adhesion, major functions of several important metastatic cancer types. The receptor hampers apoptosis thereby favoring cancer progression. LRP/LR plays a major role as a cell surface receptor in prion disorders and may be of considerable importance for other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. A series of viruses including Sindbis virus, Dengue virus and Adeno-associated virus use LRP/LR as attachment receptors. Bacteria and Candida albicans use the receptor for pathogenesis.


METHODS
Background and patented biological approaches for therapeutic modulation of LRP/LR in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, viral disorders, bacterial and yeast infections.


RESULTS
A comprehensive review of the role of LRP/LR in infectious and non-infectious diseases and an insightful assessment of published or patented biological approaches for the therapeutic modulation of LRP/LR.


CONCLUSIONS
Molecular tools such as antibodies directed against LRP/LR have the potential to act as promising alternative therapeutics for the treatment of various diseases.
University of the Witwatersrand, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.
Aadilah
A
Omar
Katarina
K
Jovanovic
Bianca
B
Da Costa Dias
Danielle
D
Gonsalves
Kiashanee
K
Moodley
Robert
R
Caveney
Vusi
V
Mbazima
Stefan F T
SF
Weiss
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D017474:Receptors, Laminin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D000906:Antibodies; D017474:Receptors, Laminin