Receptor for advanced glycation end products and age-related macular degeneration.

Journal ArticleAdvanced glycation end products (AGE) exacerbate disease progression through two general mechanisms: modifying molecules and forming nondegradable aggregates, thus impairing normal cellular/tissue functions, and altering cellular function directly through receptor-mediated activation. In the present study receptor for AGE (RAGE)-mediated cellular activation was evaluated in the etiology of human retinal aging and disease. METHODS: The maculas of human donor retinas from normal eyes and eyes with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and advanced AMD with geographic atrophy (GA) were assayed for AGE and RAGE by immunocytochemistry. Cultured ARPE-19 cells were challenged with known ligands for RAGE, AGE, and S100B, to test for activation capacity. Immunocytochemistry, real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and the TUNEL assay were used to determine the consequences of RPE cellular activation. RESULTS: Little to no immunolabeling for AGE or RAGE was found in photoreceptor and RPE cell layers in normal retinas. However, when small drusen were present, AGE and RAGE were identified in the RPE or both the RPE and photoreceptors. In early AMD and GA, the RPE and remnant photoreceptor cells showed intense AGE and RAGE immunolabeling. Both AGE and S100B activated cultured RPE cells, as revealed by upregulated expression of RAGE, NFkappaB nuclear translocation, and apoptotic cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Immunolocalization of RAGE in RPE and photoreceptors coincided with AGE deposits and macular disease in aged, early AMD, and GA retinas. Further, AGE stimulated RAGE-mediated activation of cultured ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. AGE accumulation, as occurs with normal aging and in disease, may induce receptor-mediated activation of RPE/photoreceptor cells, contributing to disease progression in the aging human retinas

Quantitative, multiplexed, targeted proteomics for ascertaining variant specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody response

Determining the protection an individual has to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VoCs) is crucial for future immune surveillance, vaccine development, and understanding of the changing immune response. We devised an informative assay to current ELISA-based serology using multiplexed, baited, targeted proteomics for direct detection of multiple proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody immunocomplex. Serum from individuals collected after infection or first- and second-dose vaccination demonstrates this approach and shows concordance with existing serology and neutralization. Our assays show altered responses of both immunoglobulins and complement to the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.1) VoCs and a reduced response to Omicron (B1.1.1529). We were able to identify individuals who had prior infection, and observed that C1q is closely associated with IgG1 (r > 0.82) and may better reflect neutralization to VoCs. Analyzing additional immunoproteins beyond immunoglobulin (Ig) G, provides important information about our understanding of the response to infection and vaccination

Receptors for advanced glycation end products as progressive factors in age-related macular degeneration

Journal ArticleAdvanced glycation end products (AGE) exacerbate disease progression through two general mechanisms: modifying molecules and forming nondegradable aggregates, thus impairing normal cellular/tissue functions, and altering cellular function directly through receptor-mediated activation. In the present study receptor for AGE (RAGE)-mediated cellular activation was evaluated in the etiology of human retinal aging and disease