Description
Members of the S100 protein family are low molecular mass acidic proteins characterised by cell-type-specific expression and the presence of 2 EF-hand calcium binding domains.
The S100 proteins or calgranulins are expressed in activated granulocytes under conditions of chronic inflammation. It is reported that RAGE is a central cell surface receptor for S100A12, which is referred to as EN-RAGE (Extracellular Newly identified RAGE-binding protein), and related members of the S100/calgranulin super family. Interaction of S100A12 with cellular RAGE on endothelium, mononuclear phagocytes, and lymphocytes triggered cellular activation, with generation of key pro-inflammatory mediators. Since S100A12 is secreted by activated neutrophilic granulocytes and acts as a proinflammatory mediator, it can be used as marker for diagnosis and therapeutic control of various inflammatory diseases.