Genetic polymorphisms of RAGE and risk of ulcerative colitis in a Chinese population

•This study, for the first time, investigates the association of three most commonly studied polymorphisms in RAGE gene with UC risk in a Chinese population.•The present study developed novel primers based on HRM for RAGE polymorphism genotyping.•The results suggest that RAGE G82S (rs2070600) polymorphisms are associated with UC susceptibility, while −374 T/A polymorphism are associated with plasma concentration of soluble RAGE.•The study provide preliminary evidence that the 82(GS+SS) genotype of G82S is a risk factor for UC in a Chinese population, and also, it may be related to the location of UC as well as a family history of IBD in a Chinese population.