Abstract
BackgroundThe receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand signal transduction receptor that can initiate and perpetuate inflammation. Its soluble isoform (sRAGE) acts as a decoy receptor for RAGE ligands, and is thought to afford protection against inflammation. With the present study, we aimed at determining whether circulating sRAGE is correlated with emphysema and chronic cor pulmonale in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsIn 200 COPD patients and 201 age- and sex-matched controls, we measured lung function by spirometry, and sRAGE by ELISA method. We also measured the plasma levels of two RAGE ligands, N-epsilon-carboxymethyl lysine and S100A12, by ELISA method. In the COPD patients, we assessed the prevalence and severity of emphysema by computed tomography (CT), and the prevalence of chronic cor pulmonale by echocardiography. Multiple quantile regression was used to assess the effects of emphysema, chronic cor pulmonale, smoking history, and comorbid conditions on the three quartiles of sRAGE.ResultssRAGE was significantly lower (p = 0.007) in COPD patients (median 652 pg/mL, interquartile range 484 to 1076 pg/mL) than in controls (median 869 pg/mL, interquartile range 601 to 1240 pg/mL), and was correlated with the severity of emphysema (p < 0.001), the lower the level of sRAGE the greater the degree of emphysema on CT. The relationship remained statistically significant after adjusting for smoking history and comorbid conditions. In addition, sRAGE was significantly lower in COPD patients with chronic cor pulmonale than in those without (p = 0.002). Such difference remained statistically significant after adjusting for smoking history, comorbidities, and emphysema severity. There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of the two RAGE ligands between cases and controls.ConclusionssRAGE is significantly lower in patients with COPD than in age- and sex-matched individuals without airflow obstruction. Emphysema and chronic cor pulmonale are independent predictors of reduced sRAGE in COPD.
Highlights
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand signal transduction receptor that can initiate and perpetuate inflammation
The control subjects were matched to the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients on age and gender, and did not differ from them with regard to body mass index (BMI)
We found that circulating Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is significantly lower in patients with stable COPD than in subjects without airflow obstruction who are matched to COPD patients on age and gender, and who feature very similar comorbid conditions
Summary
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand signal transduction receptor that can initiate and perpetuate inflammation. We aimed at determining whether circulating sRAGE is correlated with emphysema and chronic cor pulmonale in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality in industrialized countries [1]. It is characterized by an inflammatory response of the lung to inhaled noxious agents which brings about progressive airflow obstruction [1]. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a 35 kD transmembrane receptor belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily [7]. Binding of RAGE with its ligands is thought to trigger a pro-inflammatory gene activation [9]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have