Effects of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts on microvessel formation in endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND: The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) and microvascular status both play a critical role in cancer progression. However, the crosstalk between RAGE and microvascular formation in endometrial cancer remains largely unknown. METHODS: RAGE expression and microvessel density were examined in 20 cases of normal endometrial tissue, 37 cases of well-differentiated endometrial cancer tissue, and 35 cases of poorly-differentiated endometrial cancer tissue. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between RAGE and microvessel density. The knockdown of RAGE was achieved using a small interfering RNA in HEC-1A endometrial cancer cells. A xenografted tumour model was used to evaluate RAGE-mediated microvascular formation and proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. RESULTS: It was shown that (i) RAGE expression gradually increased in normal endometrium, well-differentiated endometrial cancer, and poorly-differentiated endometrial cancer, respectively; (ii) a positive correlation existed between RAGE and microvessel density in human endometrial cancer samples; (iii) RAGE knockdown was effective in decreasing microvessel formation in xenografted tumour models; and (iv) RAGE knockdown can significantly inhibit the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that RAGE may be a potential trigger in microvascular formation and proliferation in the development of endometrial cancer. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2126-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.