Effect of advanced glycosylation end products on the expression of receptor for advanced glycosylation end products in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of advanced glycosylation end products on the expression of receptor for advanced glycosylation end products in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. METHODS: Monocytes were purified (over 98%) using anti-CD14＋ microbeads. After 8 d culture in RPMI-1640 medium containing rhGM-CSF (100 μg/L) and rhIL-4 (50 μg/L), immature MDCs were derived, then exposed to AGE-BSA (0 or 200 mg/L) for 24 h. Expression of RAGE was semi-quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. At the same time, supernatants were collected. IFN-γ and IL-12 were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: mRNA and protein of RAGE incubated by 200 mg/L AGE-BSA was higher than that in control at 24 h. Treatment of DCs with AGE-BSA resulted in about two-fold increase in the expression of RAGE (P<0.05). The concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-12 were both significantly higher than that in control (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AGEs up-regulates the expression of RAGE and induces the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-12 by DCs. These findings may provide insight into the effect of DCs on the processes of atherosclerosis.