Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) as a Therapeutic Antibody Target

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multi-ligand, cell surface receptor of the immune globulin superfamily. The ligand recognizes damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which include advanced glycation end products (AGE), HMGB1, members of the S100 protein family, amyloid proteins and others. There is no defined canonical ligand binding site on the receptor and different ligands lead to distinct down-stream signaling. Persistent over-activation and upregulation of RAGE has been associated with several disease conditions, including certain cancers, diabetic complications and Alzheimer’s disease.

To further evaluate RAGE as a drug target and to understand mechanistic details of RAGE signaling, we partnered with Genovac to launch a multi-species discovery campaign to develop a broad panel of anti-RAGE antibodies. The presentation will discuss results of the antibody generation and development process along with approaches to identify ligand specific RAGE antagonistic antibodies.