| abstract |
The present invention discloses the use of a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody directed against urokinase plansminogen activator receptor (u-PAR), or a subsequence, analogue or glycosylation variant thereof. The antibodies react with free u-PAR or with complexes between u-PA and u-PAR and are able to inhibit the binding of pro-u-PA and active u-PA to u-PAR and thereby inhibit cell surface plasminogen activation. Thus, methods for preventing or counteracting proteolytic activity in a mammal is disclosed. Furthermore are screening methods for selecting substances suitable for inhibiting u-PA/u-PAR interactions disclosed. The substances identified by the screening method and the antibodies directed against u-PAR can be used for preventing or counteracting localized proteolytical activity in a mammal, such as for inhibiting the invasion and/or metastasis in a mammal. |