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RAGE
Kinds of RAGE Selected AbstractsRequirement of HMGB1 and RAGE for the maturation of human plasmacytoid dendritic cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Ingrid Abstract Dendritic cells (DC) are key components of innate and adaptive immune responses. Plasmacytoid DC (PDC) are a specialized DC subset that produce high amounts of type I interferons in response to microbes. High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is an abundant nuclear protein, which acts as a potent pro-inflammatory factor when released extracellularly. We show that HMGB1 leaves the nucleus of maturing PDC following TLR9 activation, and that PDC express on the plasma membrane the best-characterized receptor for HMGB1, RAGE. Maturation and type I IFN secretion of PDC is hindered when the HMGB1/RAGE pathway is disrupted. These results reveal HMGB1 and RAGE as the first known autocrine loop modulating the maturation of PDC, and suggest that antagonists of HMGB1/RAGE might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of systemic human diseases. [source] Adenosine infusion attenuates soluble RAGE in endotoxin-induced inflammation in human volunteersACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009A. Soop Abstract Aim:, To evaluate possible anti-inflammatory effects of pre-treatment with adenosine in a human experimental inflammatory model. Methods:, The study design was double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled and randomized. In the Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital, 16 healthy male volunteers were treated for 5.5 h with infusions of adenosine 40 ,g kg,1 min,1 or placebo. Thirty minutes after the start of adenosine or placebo, 2 ng kg,1E-Coli endotoxin was administered. Heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, plasma cytokines (TNF-,, IL-6 and IL-10), soluble RAGE and resistin, exhaled nitric oxide and nitrite/nitrate in urine were determined. Results:, Endotoxin elicited the expected clinical signs of an inflammatory reaction (tachycardia, fever) and led to prominent release of the cytokines studied (P < 0.001). Resistin in plasma increased after endotoxin (P < 0.001). After placebo treatment, soluble RAGE (sRAGE) in plasma increased 5 h after the endotoxin challenge (P < 0.001) but not after adenosine. After placebo, orally exhaled NO increased with a peak at 4 h (P < 0.001), although there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatments. Nitrite/nitrate in urine (n = 11) did not differ between adenosine and placebo treatments. Conclusion:, In conclusion, adenosine infusion starting before endotoxin challenge in humans attenuated sRAGE significantly but otherwise had no clear anti-inflammatory effect. Adenosine as a potential anti-inflammatory treatment in humans needs further study, including use of higher doses. The mechanism underlying the effect of adenosines on sRAGE remains unknown. [source] Advanced glycation end products-induced apoptosis attenuated by PPAR, activation and epigallocatechin gallate through NF-,B pathway in human embryonic kidney cells and human mesangial cellsDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 5 2010Yao-Jen Liang Abstract Background Diabetic nephropathy has attracted many researchers' attention. Because of the emerging evidence about the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor of AGE (RAGE) on the progression of diabetic nephropathy, a number of different therapies to inhibit AGE or RAGE are under investigation. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor , (PPAR,) agonist (L-165041) or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) alters AGE-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression and apoptosis in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and human mesangial cells (HMCs). Methods The HEK cells and HMC were separated into the following groups: 100 µg/mL AGE alone for 18 h; AGE treated with 1 µM L-165041 or 10 µM EGCG, and untreated cells. Inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-,B pathway, RAGE expression, superoxide dismutase and cell apoptosis were determined. Results AGE significantly increased tumour necrosis factor-, (TNF-,), a major pro-inflammatory cytokine. The mRNA and protein expression of RAGE were up-regulated. These effects were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with L-165041 or EGCG. AGE-induced nuclear factor-,B pathway activation and both cells apoptosis were also inhibited by L-165041 or EGCG. Furthermore, both L-165041 and EGCG increased superoxide dismutase levels in AGE-treated HEK cells and HMC. Conclusions This study demonstrated that PPAR, agonist and EGCG decreased the AGE-induced kidney cell inflammation and apoptosis. This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms of EGCG and PPAR, agonist in attenuation of kidney cell inflammation and may serve as a therapeutic modality to treat patients with diabetic nephropathy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] High mobility group box-1 recognition: The beginning of a RAGEless era?EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Filipe Branco-Madeira Abstract High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a molecular alarm signal that triggers an immune response when released. It was assumed that the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) would mediate the signal to the immune system. Recently pattern recognition receptors that are triggered by molecules of bacterial origin (the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family) were shown to also respond to HMGB1. Now two papers establish the TLR4,HMGB1 axis as proinflammatory, eventually leading to disparate conditions like seizures or skin cancer. These reports add a new twist to our understanding of the mode of action of the alarm signal HMGB1. [source] Requirement of HMGB1 and RAGE for the maturation of human plasmacytoid dendritic cellsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Ingrid Abstract Dendritic cells (DC) are key components of innate and adaptive immune responses. Plasmacytoid DC (PDC) are a specialized DC subset that produce high amounts of type I interferons in response to microbes. High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is an abundant nuclear protein, which acts as a potent pro-inflammatory factor when released extracellularly. We show that HMGB1 leaves the nucleus of maturing PDC following TLR9 activation, and that PDC express on the plasma membrane the best-characterized receptor for HMGB1, RAGE. Maturation and type I IFN secretion of PDC is hindered when the HMGB1/RAGE pathway is disrupted. These results reveal HMGB1 and RAGE as the first known autocrine loop modulating the maturation of PDC, and suggest that antagonists of HMGB1/RAGE might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of systemic human diseases. [source] Erratum: Carboxylated N-glycans on RAGE promote S100A12 binding and signaling, in Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, by Srikrishna et al.JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2010Geetha Srikrishna No abstract is available for this article. [source] Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) induces inflammation through chromatin modification in retinal capillary endothelial cells under diabetic conditionsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Lorena Perrone Chronic hyperglycemia and activation of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are known risk factors for microvascular disease development in diabetic retinopathy. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), an endogenous inhibitor of antioxidant thioredoxin (TRX), plays a causative role in diabetes and its vascular complications. Herein we investigate whether HG and RAGE induce inflammation in rat retinal endothelial cells (EC) under diabetic conditions in culture through TXNIP activation and whether epigenetic mechanisms play a role in inflammatory gene expression. We show that RAGE activation by its ligand S100B or HG treatment of retinal EC induces the expression of TXNIP and inflammatory genes such as Cox2, VEGF-A, and ICAM1. TXNIP silencing by siRNA impedes RAGE and HG effects while stable over-expression of a cDNA for human TXNIP in EC elevates inflammation. p38 MAPK-NF-,B signaling pathway and histone H3 lysine (K) nine modifications are involved in TXNIP-induced inflammation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays reveal that TXNIP over-expression in EC abolishes H3K9 tri-methylation, a marker for gene inactivation, and increases H3K9 acetylation, an indicator of gene induction, at proximal Cox2 promoter bearing the NF-,B-binding site. These findings have important implications toward understanding the molecular mechanisms of ocular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 262,272, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc [source] Aldose Reductase and AGE,RAGE pathways: central roles in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction in aging ratsAGING CELL, Issue 5 2010Kellie McCormick Hallam Summary Aging is inevitably accompanied by gradual and irreversible innate endothelial dysfunction. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that accentuation of glucose metabolism via the aldose reductase (AR) pathway contributes to age-related vascular dysfunction. AR protein and activity levels were significantly increased in aged vs. young aortic homogenates from Fischer 344 rats. Immunostaining revealed that the principal site of increased AR protein was the aortic endothelium as well as smooth muscle cells. Studies revealed that endothelial-dependent relaxation (EDR) in response to acetylcholine was impaired in aged rats compared to young rats and that treatment with the AR inhibitor (ARI) zopolrestat significantly improved EDR in aged rats. Methylglyoxal (MG), a key precursor of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), was significantly increased in the aortas of aged rats vs. young rats. Consistent with central roles for AR in generation of MG in aging, ARI treatment significantly reduced MG levels in aged rat aorta to those in young rats. Treatment of aged rats with soluble(s) RAGE, a soluble form of the chief signal transduction receptor for AGEs, RAGE, significantly improved EDR in aged rats, thus establishing the contribution of age-related increases in AGEs to endothelial dysfunction. These findings reveal that significant increases in AR expression and activity in aged rat vasculature linked to endothelial dysfunction may be mitigated, at least in part, via ARI and that aging-linked increased flux via AR generates AGEs; species which transduce endothelial injury consequent to their interaction with RAGE. These data demonstrate for the first time that AR mediates aging-related vascular dysfunction, at least in part, via RAGE. [source] N, -carboxymethyllysine-modified proteins are unable to bind to RAGE and activate an inflammatory responseMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 3 2008Timo M. Buetler Abstract Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) containing carboxymethyllysine (CML) modifications are generally thought to be ligands of the receptor for AGEs, RAGEs. It has been argued that this results in the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways and diseases. However, it has not been shown conclusively that a CML-modified protein can interact directly with RAGE. Here, we have analyzed whether beta-lactoglobulin (bLG) or human serum albumin (HSA) modified chemically to contain only CML (10,40% lysine modification) can (i) interact with RAGE in vitro and (ii) interact with and activate RAGE in lung epithelial cells. Our results show that CML-modified bLG or HSA are unable to bind to RAGE in a cell-free assay system (Biacore). Furthermore, they are unable to activate pro-inflammatory signaling in the cellular system. Thus, CML probably does not form the necessary structure(s) to interact with RAGE and activate an inflammatory signaling cascade in RAGE-expressing cells. [source] The mechanism by which dietary AGEs are a risk to human health is via their interaction with RAGE: Arguing against the motionMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 9 2007Claus W. Heizmann Abstract We are interested in the regulation of intracellular calcium and the various diseases associated with an altered regulation of this second messenger. More recently, we also became interested in pathologies involving the Ca2+-binding S100 proteins and AGEs and their association with the multifunctional Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE). Introduction: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700017 Pro arguments: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700008 [source] Receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE),mediated nuclear factor-,B activation in vasculitic neuropathyMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 6 2004Karl-Matthias Haslbeck MD Abstract Binding of ligands to the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) results in activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-,B) and subsequent expression of NF-,B,regulated cytokines. In order to determine whether engagement of RAGE contributes to the pathogenesis of vasculitic neuropathy, we studied the presence of the RAGE ligand N, -(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), the receptor itself, NF-,B, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in sural nerve biopsies of 12 patients with vasculitic neuropathies and 12 controls. In the patients, CML, RAGE, NF-,B, and IL-6 were localized in mononuclear cells, epineurial and endoneurial vessels and the perineurium. CML, RAGE, NF-,B, and IL-6 were expressed by CD4+, CD8+, and CD68+ cells invading the nerves. Controls showed only weak staining. These data suggest that the RAGE pathway plays a critical proinflammatory role in vasculitic neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 29: 853,860, 2004 [source] Suppression of nNOS expression in rat enteric neurones by the receptor for advanced glycation end-productsNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 5 2006K. Korenaga Abstract, Diabetes mellitus results in a loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the myenteric plexus but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesized that this may be mediated by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), a class of modified protein adducts formed by non-enzymatic glycation that interact with the receptor for AGE (RAGE) and which are important in the pathogenesis of other diabetic complications. Whole mount preparations of longitudinal muscles with adherent myenteric plexus (LM-MPs) from the duodenum of adult male rats were exposed to glycated bovines serum albumin (AGE-BSA) or BSA for 24 h. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA showed a significant reduction in nNOS expression in LM-MPs after exposure to AGE-BSA. NO release, as measured by the Griess reaction, was also significantly reduced by AGE-BSA. A neutralizing antibody against RAGE attenuated the reduction of nNOS protein caused by AGE-BSA. Immunohistochemistry revealed co-localization of RAGE expression with Hu, a marker for neuronal cells but not for S-100, a glial marker. Advanced glycation end-products reduce nNOS expression in the rat myenteric neurones acting via the receptor RAGE. Our results suggest novel pathways for disruption of the nitrergic phenotype in diabetes. [source] Disrupted galectin-3 causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in male miceTHE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2006K Nomoto Abstract Galectin-3, a ,-galactoside-binding animal lectin, is a multifunctional protein. Previous studies have suggested that galectin-3 may play an important role in inflammatory responses. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as a liver condition that may progress to end-stage liver disease and based on the known functions of galectin-3, it was hypothesized that galectin-3 might play a role in the development of NAFLD. Thus, this study investigated the role of galectin-3 in NAFLD by comparing galectin-3 knockout (gal3,/,) mice and wild-type (gal3+/+) mice. The livers of gal3,/, male mice at 6 months of age histologically displayed mild to severe fatty change. The liver weight per body weight ratio, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, liver triglyceride levels, and liver lipid peroxide in gal3,/, mice were significantly increased compared with those in gal3+/+ mice. Furthermore, the hepatic protein levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGE), receptor for AGE (RAGE), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor , (PPAR,) were increased in gal3,/, mice relative to gal3+/+ mice. In conclusion, this study suggests that the absence of gal3 can cause clinico-pathological features in male mice similar to those of NAFLD. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Glycation Endproducts, Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts and Cytokines in Diabetic and Non-diabetic PregnanciesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Magdalena Perty, ska-Marczewska Problem, Cytokines, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and their receptor RAGE have been recently suggested to play a role in human pregnancy. In this study, we sought to determine the alterations of plasma AGEs, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), and proinflammatory cytokines in normal pregnancies and those complicated with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Method of study, These parameters were measured in samples from healthy non-pregnant (C), diabetic non-pregnant (D), healthy pregnant (HP), and pregnant diabetic (DP) women. Results, In the first trimester, DP showed lower sRAGE and higher AGEs compared to HP. In the DP group, significant negative correlations were seen between TNF-, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ,L-6 in the first trimester and sRAGE in the third trimester. LPS-stimulated IL-12 was positively correlated with levels of AGEs in the third trimester. Conclusion, We detected several differences in the levels of AGEs, sRAGE, and proinflammatory cytokines between euglycemic and diabetic pregnancies. [source] Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products in Donor Lungs Is Associated with Primary Graft Dysfunction After Lung TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2010A. Pelaez Development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is associated with poor outcomes after transplantation. We hypothesized that Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) levels in donor lungs is associated with the development of PGD. Furthermore, we hypothesized that RAGE levels would be increased with PGD in recipients after transplantation. We measured RAGE in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) from 25 donors and 34 recipients. RAGE was also detected in biopsies (transbronchial biopsy) from recipients with and without PGD. RAGE levels were significantly higher in donor lungs that subsequently developed sustained PGD versus transplanted lungs that did not display PGD. Donor RAGE level was a predictor of recipient PGD (odds ratio = 1.768 per 0.25 ng/mL increase in donor RAGE level). In addition, RAGE levels remained high for 14 days in those recipients that developed severe graft dysfunction. Recipients may be at higher risk for developing PGD if they receive transplanted organs that have higher levels of soluble RAGE prior to explantation. Moreover, the clinical and pathologic abnormalities associated with PGD posttransplantation are associated with increased RAGE expression. These findings also raise the possibility that targeting the RAGE signaling pathway could be a novel strategy for treatment and/or prevention of PGD. [source] Interleukin-7 stimulates secretion of S100A4 by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in human articular chondrocytesARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2009Raghunatha R. Yammani Objective S100A4 has been shown to be increased in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage and to stimulate chondrocytes to produce matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) through activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism of S100A4 secretion by chondrocytes. Methods Human articular chondrocytes isolated from ankle cartilage were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of interleukin-1, (IL-1,), IL-6, IL-7, or IL-8. Cells were pretreated with either a JAK-3 inhibitor, brefeldin A, or cycloheximide. Immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies was used to determine the activation of signaling proteins. Secretion of S100A4 was measured in conditioned media by immunoblotting, and MMP-13 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Chondrocyte secretion of S100A4 was observed after treatment with IL-6 or IL-8 but was much greater in cultures treated with equal amounts of IL-7 and was not observed after treatment with IL-1,. IL-7 activated the JAK/STAT pathway, with increased phosphorylation of JAK-3 and STAT-3, leading to increased production of S100A4 and MMP-13. Overexpression of a dominant-negative RAGE construct inhibited the IL-7,mediated production of MMP-13. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with a JAK-3 inhibitor or with cycloheximide blocked the IL-7,mediated secretion of S100A4, but pretreatment with brefeldin A did not. Conclusion IL-7 stimulates chondrocyte secretion of S100A4 via activation of JAK/STAT signaling, and then S100A4 acts in an autocrine manner to stimulate MMP-13 production via RAGE. Since both IL-7 and S100A4 are up-regulated in OA cartilage and can stimulate MMP-13 production by chondrocytes, this signaling pathway could contribute to cartilage destruction during the development of OA. [source] Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies on human Ca2+ -binding protein S100BACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 7 2005Thorsten Ostendorp S100B, a Ca2+ -binding protein, acts intracellularly as a Ca2+ -signalling protein but is also secreted to the extracellular space, acting in a cytokine-like manner through its receptor RAGE. Recombinant human S100B has been purified and crystallized in the Ca2+ -bound state. Size-exclusion chromatography indicates that S100B can exist as a dimer and as a multimer in solution. Crystals of S100B diffract to 1.9,Å and belong to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 63.4, b = 81.6, c = 71.5,Å, , = 90, , = 107, , = 90°. Preliminary analysis of the X-ray data indicate that there are four homodimers per asymmetric unit. [source] Purple Sweet Potato Color Alleviates D-galactose-induced Brain Aging in Old Mice by Promoting Survival of Neurons via PI3K Pathway and Inhibiting Cytochrome C-mediated ApoptosisBRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Jun Lu Abstract Purple sweet potato color (PSPC), a class of naturally occurring anthocyanins, protects brain function against oxidative stress induced by D-galactose (D-gal) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA). Our data showed that PSPC enhanced open-field activity, decreased step-through latency, and improved spatial learning and memory ability in D-gal-treated old mice by decreasing advanced glycation end-products' (AGEs) formation and the AGE receptor (RAGE) expression, and by elevating Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) (Sigma-Aldrich) and catalase (CAT) expression and activity. Cleavage of caspase-3 and increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in D-gal-treated old mice were inhibited by PSPC, which might be attributed to its antioxidant property. PSPC also suppressed the activation of c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria that counteracted the onset of neuronal apoptosis in D-gal-treated old mice. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation was required for PSPC to promote the neuronal survival accompanied with phosphorylation and activation of Akt and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by using PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (Cell Signaling Technology, Inc., Beverly, MA, USA), implicating a neuronal survival mechanism. The present results suggest that neuronal survival promoted by PSPC may be a potentially effective method to enhance resistance of neurons to age-related disease. [source] Rosiglitazone via upregulation of Akt/eNOS pathways attenuates dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells, induced by advanced glycation end productsBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Chun Liang Background and purpose:, Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play key roles in pathogenesis of diabetes-related vascular complications. AGEs can induce dysfunction in EPCs. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR,) agonists are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and it remains unknown if they could attenuate EPC dysfunction induced by AGEs. Experimental approach:, EPCs isolated from healthy adults were cultured with various concentrations of AGEs (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg·L,1) with or without rosiglitazone (10 nM), antibody for the receptors for AGE-human serum albumin (anti-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE); 50 µg·mL,1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002, 5 µM), nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor (L-NG -nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 100 µM) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 25 µM). Proliferation, apoptosis, cell adhesion, migration and NO production in EPCs were assessed, and expressions of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and Akt were determined. Key results:, Number, proliferation/migration capacities, eNOS and Akt phosphorylation as well as NO synthesized by EPCs were increased by rosiglitazone and reduced by AGEs. AGEs promoted while rosiglitazone reduced EPC apoptosis. The AGE-induced effects were significantly ameliorated by pre-incubation with rosiglitazone, RAGE antibody and SNP. The beneficial effects of rosiglitazone could be blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME and LY294002. Conclusions and implications:, The PPAR, agonist rosiglitazone increased EPC function and attenuated EPC dysfunction induced by AGEs via upregulating the Akt-eNOS signal pathways of EPCs. [source] Serum-soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosisACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009eckaArticle first published online: 2 DEC 200 Objectives,,, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. There is evidence that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of the neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS. Data from the literature suggests that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) participates in pathological conditions, including oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Materials and methods,,, The study involved 20 patients with ALS and 20 patients from the control group. The serum-soluble RAGE (sRAGE) levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method. Results,,, The study showed that sRAGE levels are significantly decreased in serum of the patients with ALS comparing to the control group (P < 0.05). The correlation between the serum sRAGE levels and clinical parameters of the disease was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions,,, The results indicate that sRAGE participates in pathophysiology of the ALS. It is possible that low sRAGE levels may influence neurodegeneration. [source] Up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes as adaptation to hypoxia in MCF-7 cells and in human mammary invasive carcinoma microenvironmentCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Marco Tafani The role of tumor cells in synthesizing pro-inflammatory molecules is still controversial. Here we report that hypoxic treatment of the MCF-7 human mammary adenocarcinoma cell line induced activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, (HIF-1,) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-,B). Importantly, hypoxia regulated expression of alarmin receptors such as the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and the purinoreceptor (P2X7R), and up-regulated inflammatory response (IR) genes such as the inducible enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), cycloxygenase (COX2), and the acute-phase protein pentraxin-3 (PTX3). Hypoxia also stimulated chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) mRNA synthesis. In fact, the CXCR4 ligand stromal-derived factor-1, (SDF-1,) increased invasion and migration of hypoxic MCF-7 cells. Inhibition of HIF-1, by chetomin and NF-,B by parthenolide reduced mRNA and protein expression of the studied molecules and prevented invasion of hypoxic MCF-7 cells. Moreover, solid invasive mammary tumor microenvironment was analyzed after laser-capture microdissection (LCMD) comparing tumor versus host normal tissue. Nuclear translocation of HIF-1, and NF-,B and up-regulation of IR, CXCR4, estrogen receptor , (ER,), and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) was observed in tumor but not in host normal tissue in the absence of a local inflammatory leukocyte infiltrate. We conclude that under hypoxic conditions MCF-7 cells acquire a pro-inflammatory phenotype, and that solid human mammary carcinoma evidenced a similar activation of HIF-1,, NF-,B, and IR genes in malignant tumor cells as compared to the normal host tissues. We suggest a role for IR activation in the malignant progression of transformed cells. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1014,1023) [source] Thymoquinone protects renal tubular cells against tubular injuryCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 3 2008Ahmed Amir Radwan Sayed Abstract In this work the effect of angiotensin II (AT II) on proximal tubular epithelial cells (pTECs) in vitro was studied. AT II was found to activate the nuclear factor ,B (NF- ,B) and its controlled genes, for example, interleukin 6 (IL-6) of pTECs in a time-dependent manner. Two points with maximum NF- ,B activation were found, the first after 12,h and the second after 3.5 days. The first point may be due to activation of NF- ,B in pTECs in response to AT II while the second may be due to activation of the advanced glycation end product (AGE)/receptor of the AGE (RAGE) system. Thymoquinone (TQ) was found to decrease NF- ,B activation in a dose-dependant manner with maximum inhibitory effect at a concentration of 500,nM. Also, pre-incubation of pTECs with TQ leads to disappearance of the second peak of NF- ,B. These data are consistent with results obtained from IL-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and transient transfection experiments. The results explain the therapeutic value of TQ which can be used to delay end stage renal diseases in diabetics. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Co-treatment with deoxycholic acid and azoxymethane accelerates secretion of HMGB1 in IEC6 intestinal epithelial cellsCELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 5 2009K. Fujii Objectives:, High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that acts as a ligand of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its expression enhances progression of cancer. However, the mechanism underlying HMGB1 secretion is still unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of deoxycholic acid (DCA), a promoter of colon carcinogenesis, on HMGB1 secretion. Materials and Methods:, We used an in vitro transformation model comprised of IEC6 intestinal epithelial cells treated with azoxymethane (AOM) and/or DCA. HMGB1 expression and secretion were examined by Western and Northern blot analyses, and ELISA. Intracellular translocation of HMGB1 was examined by protein fractionation. Results:, AOM + DCA-treated IEC6 cells showed upregulation of HMGB1 mRNA expression and increased level of HMGB1 protein in culture medium, but decreased level of HMGB1 protein in the nucleus. AOM + DCA treatment increased level of histone H4 acetylation, which induced translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and increased HMGB1 secretion. Leptomycin B inhibited extranuclear translocation and secretion of the HMGB1 protein. Conclusion:, These findings suggest that DCA affects intracellular localization and secretion of HMGB1. [source] N, -carboxymethyllysine-modified proteins are unable to bind to RAGE and activate an inflammatory responseMOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH (FORMERLY NAHRUNG/FOOD), Issue 3 2008Timo M. Buetler Abstract Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) containing carboxymethyllysine (CML) modifications are generally thought to be ligands of the receptor for AGEs, RAGEs. It has been argued that this results in the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways and diseases. However, it has not been shown conclusively that a CML-modified protein can interact directly with RAGE. Here, we have analyzed whether beta-lactoglobulin (bLG) or human serum albumin (HSA) modified chemically to contain only CML (10,40% lysine modification) can (i) interact with RAGE in vitro and (ii) interact with and activate RAGE in lung epithelial cells. Our results show that CML-modified bLG or HSA are unable to bind to RAGE in a cell-free assay system (Biacore). Furthermore, they are unable to activate pro-inflammatory signaling in the cellular system. Thus, CML probably does not form the necessary structure(s) to interact with RAGE and activate an inflammatory signaling cascade in RAGE-expressing cells. [source] Waorani Grief and the Witch-Killer's Rage: Worldview, Emotion, and Anthropological ExplanationETHOS, Issue 2 2005CLAYTON ROBARCHEK This article analyzes a complex of grief, rage and homicide among the Ecuadorian Waorani, tracing the relationships among worldview, values and concepts of self, and envy, rage and homicide, especially witch-killing. We contrast the results with the position taken by Rosaldo in his widely cited paper "Grief and the Headhunters Rage" (1989). We hold that Waorani individuals' experience of rage during bereavement is not, as argued by Rosaldo for the Ilongot, a thing sui generis, immune to further explanation. Rather, it is explained as a product of people defining their experience on the basis of cultural constructions of self and reality and acting in accord with those definitions. We also argue that this explanation, coupled with the similarities in the Waorani and Ilongot complexes, suggests the operation of similar sociocultural and psychological processes in the two societies and supports, contra the assertions of postmodernists and others, the continued value and validity of cross-cultural comparative research. [source] Reducing Road Rage: An Application of the Dissonance-Attribution Model of Interpersonal Forgiveness,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Seiji Takaku Recent research (Takaku, 2001; Takaku, Weiner, & Ohbuchi, 2001) tested and supported the hypothesis that injured parties' motivation to forgive their wrongdoers could be enhanced through inducing hypocrisy-dissonance by making the injured parties aware of their own past wrongdoing. The present study tested and supported the model's applicability to people's road-rage experiences by showing that individuals who were aware of their own past reckless driving generated more hypocrisy-induced dissonance, more positive attributions, and less negative emotional reactions than individuals who were not aware of their own past reckless driving. Implications for future research and possible applications of the model in reducing road rage are discussed. [source] Darbyshire P (2004) ,Rage against the machine?': nurses' and midwives' experiences of using computerized patient information systems for clinical information.JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2006Journal of Clinical Nursing 1 [source] ,Whereof We Speak': Gregory of Nyssa, Jean-Luc Marion and the Current Apophatic RageTHE HEYTHROP JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001Martin Laird Recent postmodern discussions of the Christian apophatic tradition level a noteworthy criticism: after all its negations doesn't Christian apophatic discourse in fact slip back into kataphatic assertions about God? This article seeks to address this claim by bringing into concert two important Christian apophaticists (Gregory of Nyssa and Jean-Luc Marion) in order to designate a type of discourse that emerges from apophatic union, a discourse that is not kataphatic but logophatic. [source] Validation of numerical codes for impact and explosion cratering: Impacts on strengthless and metal targetsMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 12 2008E. PIERAZZO When properly benchmarked and validated against observation, computer models offer a powerful tool for understanding the mechanics of impact crater formation. This work presents results from the first phase of a project to benchmark and validate shock codes. A variety of 2D and 3D codes were used in this study, from commercial products like AUTODYN, to codes developed within the scientific community like SOVA, SPH, ZEUS-MP, iSALE, and codes developed at U.S. National Laboratories like CTH, SAGE/RAGE, and ALE3D. Benchmark calculations of shock wave propagation in aluminum-on-aluminum impacts were performed to examine the agreement between codes for simple idealized problems. The benchmark simulations show that variability in code results is to be expected due to differences in the underlying solution algorithm of each code, artificial stability parameters, spatial and temporal resolution, and material models. Overall, the inter-code variability in peak shock pressure as a function of distance is around 10 to 20%. In general, if the impactor is resolved by at least 20 cells across its radius, the underestimation of peak shock pressure due to spatial resolution is less than 10%. In addition to the benchmark tests, three validation tests were performed to examine the ability of the codes to reproduce the time evolution of crater radius and depth observed in vertical laboratory impacts in water and two well-characterized aluminum alloys. Results from these calculations are in good agreement with experiments. There appears to be a general tendency of shock physics codes to underestimate the radius of the forming crater. Overall, the discrepancy between the model and experiment results is between 10 and 20%, similar to the inter-code variability. [source] Balancing Self-interest and Altruism: corporate governance alone is not enoughCORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 2 2004Sandra Dawson Governance has become a topic of unprecedented emotional significance and fundamental importance in the boardrooms of companies, partly as a result of a confluence of early 21st century corporate scandals, stock market falls and public rage about senior executive remuneration. A simple adherence to formal systems of corporate governance, in terms of structures, rules, procedures and codes of practice, whilst a starting point, will not alone win back confidence in markets and corporations. Consideration needs to be given to how to release entrepreneurial self interest within a moral context. This focuses attention on the role of other major social institutions which may more naturally be able to nurture a moral framework as well as the role of individual citizens and the responsibility of all of us to enact a moral framework for business activities. There is no escape from individual moral responsibility, and our part in creating and sustaining social institutions beyond corporations. [source] |