suPARnostic® as Marker for Immune Activation
In April 2006, the crystal structure of suPAR was published in Science. The three domain structure was shown to be able to differentially rotate around its main axis to accommodate a number of complex ligands.Due to this ability to change conformation, suPAR demonstrates a highly variable binding pocket, which is believed to explain its immense value in a number of different functions including cell signaling, cell migration, and immune response.
Amongst other functions, the receptor for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPAR) promotes invasion by neoplastic or inflammatory cells by focusing proteolysis of urokinase to the cell surface. In pathologic conditions, soluble forms of the receptor (suPAR) are released and activate cell receptors to promote chemotaxis and immune response.
It has also been published recently that no genetic polymorphisms exist causing humans to naturally express high levels of suPAR, indicating that elevated concentrations of suPAR can be attributed to immune activation or immune response to a specific challenge. Further scientific data strengthen the conclusion that - independent of infection type - elevated blood levels of suPAR carry a strong negative prognostic value for the respective disease condition.
The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is expressed on immune cells, in particular on monocytes and activated T-cells and involved in several immune functions including migration, adhesion, angiogenesis, fibrinolysis and cell proliferation. The shedding of uPAR from the cell surface generates soluble uPAR (suPAR), a highly flexible pro-inflammatory molecule with intrinsic chemotactic properties. Elevated plasma V-suPAR levels have been correlated to poor clinical outcomes in patients suffering from bacterial, viral and parasitical infectious diseases, as well as individuals with certain types of cancer.
