• Li-Feng Huang, Yong-Ming Yao, and Zhi-Yong Sheng.
• Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Burns Institute, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China.
• World J Emerg Med. 2012 Jan 1;3(3):165-71.

BackgroundHigh mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a highly conserved, ubiquitous protein in the nuclei and cytoplasm of nearly all cell types. HMGB1 is secreted into the extracellular milieu and acts as a proinfl ammatory cytokine. In this article we reviewed briefl y the cellular immune response mediated by HMGB1 in infl ammation and sepsis.MethodsThis systemic review is mainly based on our own work and other related reports.ResultsHMGB1 can actively affect the immune functions of many types of cells including T lymphocytes, regulatory T cells (Tregs), dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and natural killer cells (NK cells). Various cellular responses can be mediated by HMGB1 which binds to cell-surface receptors [e.g., the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, and TLR4]. Anti-HMGB1 treatment, such as anti-HMGB1 polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, inhibitors (e.g., ethyl pyruvate) and antagonists (e.g., A box), can protect against sepsis lethality and give a wider window for the treatment opportunity.ConclusionHMGB1 is an attractive target for the development of new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of patients with septic complications.

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