The present review focuses on the role of RAGE, the "receptor for advanced glycation end products", in the inflammatory response. RAGE is a multiligand receptor that propagates cellular dysfunction in several inflammatory disorders, in tumors and in diabetes. RAGE is expressed at low levels in normal tissues, but becomes upregulated at sites where its ligands accumulate. RAGE may play a dual role in the inflammatory response: (i) interaction of RAGE on leukocytes or endothelial cells (ECs) with its ligands results in cellular activation involving the transcription factor NF-kappaB; (ii) on the other hand, RAGE on ECs may function as an adhesive receptor that directly interacts with leukocyte ss2-integrins, thereby directly being involved in inflammatory cell recruitment. These different aspects are discussed in the present review.