Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly increases expression of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in the septicemia suffering patients

Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is a cell surface receptor, which recognizes several endogenous and exogenous molecules and subsequently induces expression of several molecules including chemokines. Chemokines are members of the cytokine superfamily and participate in several immune system functions, including cell migration, inflammation, angiogenesis/angiostasis etc. CXC ligand 11 (CXCL11) is an important chemokine which participates in the induction of appropriate immune responses against microbes, including bacteria. The main mechanisms responsible to overcome septicemia are yet to be clarified. Thus, it has been hypothesized that RAGE may participate in induction of CXCL11 in response to the microbial agents. Due to the fact that immune responses play key roles in limitation of infection, it has been proposed that RAGE may inhibit spread of septicemia. Therefore, in this project mRNA levels of RAGE and CXCL11 were explored in the patients suffering from septicemia versus healthy controls. RAGE and CXCL11 expression levels in the 80 subjects, including 40 septicemia patients and 40 healthy controls were explored using Real-Time PCR technique. Accordingly, by using the specific primer against RAGE and CXCL11 in a Rotorgene vehicle the mRNA levels have been determined. The septicemia and the sources of the bacteria in the blood were diagnosed using microbial cultures. The results demonstrated that although mRNA levels for RAGE and CXCL11 did not change in the septicemia patients vs. healthy controls, mRNA levels of RAGE were significantly higher in the patients infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to those infected by other bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii. RAGE and CXCL11 mRNA levels did not differ among male and female patients. Based on the results it seems that RAGE is a critical receptor against P. aeruginosa during septicemia and more investigations, especially on the RAGE down-stream molecules can clarify its main roles against P. aeruginosa.