RAGE expression and AGE-induced MAP kinase activation in Caco-2 cells

RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) is a multiligand cell surface molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It was originally described as a receptor for protein adducts formed by glycoxidation (AGEs) that accumulate in diseases such as diabetes and renal failure. Performing RT-PCR and Western blot analysis we intended to determine RAGE expression in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2. Moreover, Caco-2 cells were incubated in the presence of AGEs. Since RAGE ligation triggers the p21(ras) signal transduction pathway the activation state of p44/42 (ERK1/2) MAP kinases was determined. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Caco-2 cells express RAGE and that administration of the food-derived casein-linked AGE N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (Cas-CML) results in Caco-2 p44/42 (ERK1/2) MAP kinase activation.