Mini-review: The nuclear protein HMGB1 as a proinflammatory mediator

The intranuclear architectural protein that is termed high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) was recently identified as a potent proinflammatory mediator when present extracellularly. HMGB1 has been demonstrated to be a long-searched-for nuclear danger signal passively released by necrotic, as opposed to apoptotic, cells that will induce inflammation. Furthermore, HMGB1 can also be actively secreted by stimulated macrophages or monocytes in a process requiring acetylation of the molecule, which enables translocation from the nucleus to secretory lysosomes. Subsequent transport out of the cells depends on a secretion signal mediated by either extracellular lysophophatidyl-choline or ATP. HMGB1 passively released from necrotic cells and HMGB1 actively secreted by inflammatory cells are thus molecularly different. Extracellular HMGB1 acts as a cytokine by signaling via the receptor for advanced glycated end-products and via members of the Toll-like receptor family. The initiated inflammatory responses include the production of multiple cytokines, chemoattraction of certain stem cells, induction of vascular adhesion molecules and impaired function of intestinal epithelial cells. Therapeutic administration of HMGB1 antagonists rescues mice from lethal sepsis, even when initial treatment is delayed for 24 h after the onset of infection, establishing a clinically relevant therapeutic window that is significantly wider than for other known cytokines.