Receptor for advanced glycation end-products plays a crucial role in chronic diabetes complications. It is supposed to be involved in the development of all kinds of diabetic angiopathy.
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) excessively accumulated in diabetes belong to the most important ligands of RAGE, however there are more potent activators of this receptor - especially alarmins, often involved in inflammatory reactions. Activated RAGE triggers pathways leading to excessive accumulation of AGEs, reactive oxygen species and sustained inflammatory reactions via NF-κB.
Central role of RAGE in the pathogenesis of vascular changes in diabetes represents suitable target for new therapeutic or preventive approach.