Extracellular roles of high-mobility-group B1 / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

High-mobility-group B1 (HMGB1), an abundant, highly conserved cellular protein, is widely known as a nuclear DNA-binding protein that stabilizes nucleosome formation, and facilitates gene transcription. Recent studies suggested that HMGB1 could be overexpressed and released from cellular nucleosome upon endotoxin and cytokine stimulation, or other stress challenge including burns, shock, as well as infection. Therefore, extracellular HMGB1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis and subsequent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Moreover, experimental data showed that extracellular HMGB1 might play vital roles in nerves development, tumor metastasis, atherosclerosis and restenosis after vascular damage.