Mechanisms of low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 regulating β-amyloid metabolism and its implications for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the future

Almost all active immunotherapy attempts which targeted at clearing or reducing β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in brains of patients with Alzheimer' disease (AD) were fallen into unprecedented difficulties, because of unsatisfactory curative effects. Recently, more and more evidences support that low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) is involved in Aβ production and clearance through multiple non-immune pathways, which has showed the potential as a whole-new interference target different with classical Aβ immunotherapies. So, we try to summarize the research developments of roles of LRP1 in Aβ metabolic process in physiological and AD conditions, and look forward to its possible applications in the prevention and treatment of AD. Key words: Alzheimer's disease; Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1; Beta-amyloid metabolism