AGER promotes proliferation and migration in cervical cancer

Advanced Glycation End-products Specific receptor for (AGER) is an oncogenic trans-membranous receptor up-regulated in various human cancers. We have previously reported that AGER was over-expressed in squamous cervical cancer. However, mechanisms of AGER involved in progression of cervical cancer are unknown. In this 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 AGER with multiple siRNAs suppressed proliferation, stimulated apoptosis, inhibited migration of cervical squamous cancer cells. Conversely, over-expression 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 HPV-induced inflammation and cervical cancer.