title: Promotion of cell adherence and spreading: a novel function of RAGE, the highly selective differentiation marker of human alveolar epithelial type I cells.
abstract: The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is expressed under pathological conditions in many tissues and has been assigned many functions. We demonstrate, in normal human lung tissue, the preferential and highly abundant expression of RAGE by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, RAGE expression, as a specific differentiation marker of alveolar epithelial type I cells (AT I cells), and its localization to the basolateral plasma membrane have been confirmed by means of newly raised monoclonal antibodies. The physiological function of RAGE on AT I cells has previously remained elusive. By using HEK293 cells transfected with cDNA encoding for full-length RAGE, we show that RAGE enhances the adherence of epithelial cells to collagen-coated surfaces and has a striking capacity for inducing cell spreading. The preferential binding of RAGE to collagen has been confirmed by assaying the binding of soluble RAGE to various substrates. RAGE might thus assist AT I cells to acquire a spreading morphology, thereby ensuring effective gas exchange and alveolar stability.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 42, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Demling
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ehrhardt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laue
authors.forename: Lilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knels
authors.forename: Ernst Peter
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rieber
mesh_terms: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D003094:Collagen