RAGE (receptor) - RAGE and Disease

RAGE and Disease

RAGE has been linked to several chronic diseases, which are thought to result from vascular damage. The pathogenesis is hypothesized to include ligand binding upon which RAGE signals activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). NF-κB controls several genes which are involved in inflammation. Interestingly, RAGE itself will also be up-regulated by NF-κB. Given a condition in which there is a large amount of RAGE ligands (e.g. AGE in diabetes or Amyloid-β-protein in Alzheimer's Disease) this establishes a positive feed-back cycle, which leads to chronic inflammation. This chronic condition is then believed to alter the micro- and macrovasculature in a fatal way which ends in organ damage or even organ failure. Diseases that have been linked to RAGE are:

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Myocardial infarction
• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Alzheimer's disease
• Psoriasis