Figure 3.

Proposed model of LRP1 involvement in ischemic e reperfusion injury. LRP1 and its ligands are markedly up-regulated in the myocardial tissue following AMI. (A) LRP1 promotes macrophage survival and phagocytic activity, thus facilitating clearance of cellular debris and apoptotic bodies and removing potentially dangerous byproducts after the ischemic injury. (B) Binding of certain ligands including serine protease inhibitors (AAT, A2MG, AT_III) to LRP1 leads to a cardioprotective signal reducing infarct size and preservation of cardiac systolic function following acute ischemia and reperfusion. A comparable cardioprotective effect can be leveraged by the use of a small synthetic peptide, SP16, functioning as LRP1 agonist. (C) Activation of LPR1-mediated signaling induces endothelial cell migration, differentiation and survival leading to improved endothelial cell function and revascularization of ischemic tissue.