OBJECTIVES: Rage (receptor for advanced glycation end products) is involved in pathogenesis of many diseases. The aim of the study was to test whether polymorphisms of RAGE gene are associated with the outcome of kidney transplantation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four polymorphisms of the RAGE gene (-429T/C, -374T/A, Gly82Ser and 2184A/G) were assessed in 145 renal transplant recipients and their relationship to histological changes in 12 months protocol kidney graft biopsy and renal function was examined. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies of each polymorphism corresponded to expected frequencies according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No differences between allelic and genotype frequencies among patients with normal histological findings, chronic allograft nephropathy and subclinical rejection were observed. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on polymorphisms of the RAGE gene in patients with the transplanted kidney. No association of RAGE selected gene polymorphisms with 12-months outcome of renal transplants was shown in study.

Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital Charles University Karlovo nam 32 121 11 Prague 2 Czech Republic