A receptor for glycation end products (RAGE) is a key transmitter between garb-aging and inflammaging.
Our bodies naturally produce waste products as cells function and repair themselves. Over time, especially as we age, these waste products can accumulate, a process that can be thought of as “garb-aging”. This buildup includes damaged molecules, such as those formed when sugars react with proteins, known as advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). These accumulated substances act as alarm signals, triggering a specialized sensor on our cells called the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE). When RAGE detects these waste products, it initiates a series of internal cellular responses that lead to inflammation. This chronic, low-level inflammation, often referred to as “inflammaging,” is a key factor in many age-related diseases. Therefore, this research highlights that this particular receptor acts as a critical communication channel, translating the accumulation of cellular debris into the persistent inflammatory state characteristic of aging, opening new avenues for understanding and potentially combating age-related health issues.