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Distribution of the α2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein in human tissues

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Summary

The hepatic α1-macroglobulin receptor (α2MR)/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) binds and endocytoses α2-macroglobulin-proteinase complexes in plasma. In addition, it binds lipoproteins, a novel 40 kDa protein, and complexes between plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1. This study shows, for the first time, the tissue distribution of α2MR/LRP as determined by immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies. The analysis revealed α2MR/LRP-expression in a restricted spectrum of cell types, including neurons and astrocytes in the central nervous system, epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, Leydig cells in testis, granulosa cells in ovary, and dendritic interstitial cells of kidney. Monocytederived cells displayed marked α2MR/LRP expression in the phagocytes of liver, lung and lymphoid tissues, but no or low expression in antigen-presenting cells including Langerhans' cells of the skin. The high abundance of α2MR/LRP in certain cell types of most organs suggests two main routes for α2MR/LRP ligand clearance: (1) systemic removal in liver of circulating ligands, and (2) non-hepatic interstitial removal in different organs, including the brain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark

    Søren K. Moestrup & Jørgen Gliemann

  2. Laboratory of Immunohistology, Institute of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Dermark

    Gorm Pallesen

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  1. Søren K. Moestrup
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  2. Jørgen Gliemann
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  3. Gorm Pallesen
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Moestrup, S.K., Gliemann, J. & Pallesen, G. Distribution of the α2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein in human tissues. Cell Tissue Res 269, 375–382 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353892

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353892

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