Background

Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE), a widely expressed inflammatory receptor for disease states such as atherosclerosis, cancer, Alzheimer disease, drug-induced liver injury and sepsis. The blocking of RAGE activation is highly effective in reducing the severity of these diseases in murine models. Heparan sulfate (HS), a universal cell surface glycosaminoglycan expressed in all mammalian cells, has been established as the origin of the RAGE signaling cascade. Blocking the interaction of HS and RAGE inhibits RAGE signaling and provides a therapeutic mechanism for diseases.