Advanced glycation end products and its receptor (RAGE) are increased in patients with COPD.
Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are the products of nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids. Formation of AGEs is increased in response to hyperglycaemia, reactive oxygen species and ageing. AGEs are proinflammatory and can modify the extracellular matrix. RAGE (Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products) mediates some of the effects of AGEs.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed lung tissue from patients who had lobectomy for bronchial carcinoma was used to investigate the presence of AGEs and RAGE. Subjects were divided into those with COPD and controls. Immunostaining for AGEs and RAGE was performed and the intensity of staining measured.


RESULTS
Subjects with COPD and controls were similar in age and smoking history but FEV(1)% predicted was lower for COPD than controls. Intensity of staining for AGEs was greater in the airways (p = 0.025) and alveolar walls (p = 0.004) in COPD. Intensity of staining for RAGE was also significantly increased in alveolar walls (p = 0.03) but not the airways. FEV(1)% predicted was correlated with the intensity of staining for AGEs in the airways and alveoli.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased staining for both AGEs and RAGE in COPD lung raises the possibility that the RAGE-AGEs interaction may have a role in the pathogenesis of COPD.
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. l.wu@auckland.ac.nz
Lian
L
Wu
Li
L
Ma
Louise F B
LF
Nicholson
Peter N
PN
Black
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism
D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic