title: Partial characterization of the molecular nature of collagen-linked fluorescence: role of diabetes and end-stage renal disease.
abstract: Collagen-linked fluorescence at excitation/emission 370/440 nm has widely been used as a marker for advanced glycation in studies of aging, diabetic complications, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diagnostic devices measuring skin autofluorescence at this wavelength revealed an association between fluorescence and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We now report the presence of a major fluorophore (LW-1) in human skin collagen which increases with age, diabetes, and ESRD. It has a molecular weight of 623.2Da, a UV maximum at 348 nm, and involves a lysine residue in an aromatic ring. LW-1 could not be synthesized using traditional glycation chemistry suggesting a complex mechanism of formation, perhaps related to hypoxia since elevated levels were also found in nondiabetic individuals with chronic lung disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106-7288, USA. drs7@po.cwru.edu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nemet
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Monnier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D003094:Collagen