Relationship between the induction of RAGE cell-surface antigen and the expression of amyloid binding sites.

Purified human brain neurofilament protein was subjected to glycating conditions to produce an advanced glycation end product (HNF-AGE). Two mice were immunized with this HNF-AGE. Unexpectedly, the animals generated IgGs against a peptide immunogenic fragment of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and against human amyloid beta peptide (Abeta). In leukocyte populations, 30-52% of lymphocytes were positive for cell-surface RAGE, and 20-25% were positive for the Abeta peptide. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against the sequence of human RAGE was reactive against a 35-kDa protein band that was highly expressed in blood cells, plasma proteins, lung, liver, spleen, and brain derived from the immunized mice. A MAb directed against Abeta proteins also identified the same 35-kDa band. Thus, the time-dependent formation of AGEs might play a role within the context of the immune system in the expression of binding sites for amyloid peptides, possibly resulting in enhancing cellular toxicity.