Diabetes 57:2461-2469, 2008 DOI: 10.2337/db07-1808 © 2008 by the American Diabetes Association
Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) Deficiency Attenuates the Development of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes
1 Albert Einstein Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Centre for Diabetes Complications, Diabetes Metabolism Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia Corresponding author: Karin Jandeleit-Dahm, karin.jandeleit-dahm{at}baker.edu.au
OBJECTIVE—Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in diabetic vasculature is considered to be a key mediator of atherogenesis. This study examines the effects of deletion of RAGE on the development of atherosclerosis in the diabetic apoE–/– model of accelerated atherosclerosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—ApoE–/– and RAGE–/–/apoE–/– double knockout mice were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin and followed for 20 weeks, at which time plaque accumulation was assessed by en face analysis.
RESULTS—Although diabetic apoE–/– mice showed increased plaque accumulation (14.9 ± 1.7%), diabetic RAGE–/–/apoE–/– mice had significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque area (4.9 ± 0.4%) to levels not significantly different from control apoE–/– mice (4.3 ± 0.4%). These beneficial effects on the vasculature were associated with attenuation of leukocyte recruitment; decreased expression of proinflammatory mediators, including the nuclear factor- CONCLUSIONS—This study provides evidence for RAGE playing a central role in the development of accelerated atherosclerosis associated with diabetes. These findings emphasize the potential utility of strategies targeting RAGE activation in the prevention and treatment of diabetic macrovascular complications.
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