Title:tPA in the Central Nervous System: Relations Between tPA and Cell Surface LRPs
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Author(s): Saida Ortolano and Carlos Spuch
Affiliation:
Keywords:
BBB, brain diseases, CNS, LRP, neurodegenerative diseases, plasmin, plasminogen, tPA, neuroinflammation, lipoprotein receptor-related proteins
Abstract: A growing body of evidence has implicated the plasminogen activating system in various aspects of neurophysiology
and pathophysiology. In ischemic stroke, blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulations, typically involving matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), inhibitors tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and the low density lipoprotein receptor-
related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRPs) as mediators became interesting since tissue plasminogen
activator (tPA)-related BBB breakdown with risk of secondary hemorrhage was considered to involve these mediators
too. The mechanism by which tPA implements its actions within the central nervous system (CNS) has been the topic of
much controversy. Binding of plasminogen to surfaces is of crucial importance in regulating the function of this system.
tPA can modulate permeability of the neurovascular unit in physiological conditions and pathological events exacerbating
injury in ischemic stroke, vascular dementia, traumatic brain injury or neurotoxic events. The plasminogen activating enzyme
system is widely appreciated for its role in fibrinolysis and thrombolysis and in other areas related to remodelling of
the extracellular matrix. However, this enzyme system also has a major impact in the central nervous system under pathological
circumstances. The aim of this review is to revise the last patents and news to understand the mechanism by which
t-PA modulates BBB permeability.
