suPAR: The molecular crystal ball

Issue title: Molecular Markers of Infectious Diseases

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Thunø, Maria | Macho, Betina | Eugen-Olsen, Jesper

Affiliations: Virogates A/S, blokken 45, DK-3460 Birkerød, Denmark | Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: jeo@virogates.com

Abstract: soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) levels reflect inflammation and elevated suPAR levels are found in several infectious diseases and cancer. suPAR exists in three forms; suPAR_{I-III}, suPAR_{II-III} and suPAR_{I} which show different properties due to structural differences. Studies suggest that full-length suPAR is a regulator of uPAR/uPA by acting as uPA-scavenger, whereas the cleaved suPAR_{II-III} act as a chemotactic agent promoting the immune response via the SRSRY sequence in the linker-region. This review focus on the various suPAR fragments and their involvement in inflammation and pathogenic processes. We focus on the molecular mechanisms of the suPAR fragments and the link to the inflammatory process, as this could lead to medical applications in infectious and pathological conditions.

DOI: 10.3233/DMA-2009-0657

Journal: Disease Markers, vol. 27, no. 3-4, pp. 157-172, 2009