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Run-Ze Shang, Bin Dai, De-Sheng Wang, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shannxi Province, China
Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81030010; Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Research and Development Program Funded Projects, No. 2012FS2-09-1.
Correspondence to: De-Sheng Wang, Professor, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, 15 Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, Shannxi Province, China. wangdesh@163.com
Received: December 30, 2013 Revised: January 29, 2014 Accepted: February 18, 2014 Published online: March 28, 2014
Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a major activator of plasminogen, and uPA receptor is the specific receptor of uPA. The uPA/uPAR system regulates plasminogen activity, which participates in degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and is involved in many pathophysiological processes. In neoplasms, the activation of plasminogen into plasmin caused by the uPA/uPAR system induces the degradation of components in the basement membrane as well as in the ECM, which provides a favorable microenvironment for tumor invasion and metastasis. In addition, the uPA/uPAR system regulates tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the role of the uPA/uPAR system in tumors and its potential clinical implications.
Key Words: urokinase type plasminogen activator/urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor system; Tumors; Urokinase type plasminogen activator; Plasminogen
Citation: Shang RZ, Dai B, Wang DS. Role of uPA/uPAR system in tumors. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2014; 22(9): 1235-1240
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