Methylglyoxal-derived advanced glycation end products induce matrix metalloproteinases through activation of ERK/JNK/NF-κB pathway in kidney proximal epithelial cells.

The accumulation of reactive α-dicarbonyl leading to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been linked to pathophysiological diseases in many studies, such as atherosclerosis, cataract, cancer, and diabetic nephropathy. Glycation-generated AGEs increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines by transferring signals to the cell by binding them to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) on their cell surface. The effect of methylglyoxal-derived AGEs (AGE-4) on the induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in rat ordinary kidney cells (NRK-52E) was explored in this research, among other AGEs. The cell treated with 100 μg/mL AGE-4 for 24 h showed a substantial rise in MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression relative to BSA control only and other AGEs through ERK, JNK, and NF-B pathways. Our findings therefore suggest that AGE-4 expresses MMPs through the AGE-4-RAGE axis, activating MAPK signals that may contribute to dysfunction of the kidney cell. © The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology 2019.