AGER promotes proliferation and migration in cervical cancer

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGER) is an oncogenic transmembranous receptor up-regulated in various human cancers. We have previously reported that AGER was overexpressed in squamous cervical cancer. However, mechanisms of AGER involved in the progression of cervical cancer are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AGER on biological behavior, including proliferation, apoptosis, and migration using multiple biological approaches. AGER protein primarily localized in the cytoplasm and cytomembrane of cervical squamous cancer cells. Blockage of AGER with multiple siRNAs suppressed proliferation, stimulated apoptosis, inhibited migration of cervical squamous cancer cells. Conversely, overexpression of AGER increased cell proliferation, migration, and inhibited cell apoptosis. These results indicate that AGER promotes proliferation, migration, and inhibits apoptosis of squamous cervical cancer and might function as a tumor promoter in cervical cancer. Our study provides novel evidence for a potential role of AGER in bridging human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced inflammation and cervical cancer.