Associations between HMGB1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility and clinical outcomes in Chinese Han sepsis patients

High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is an important late inflammatory mediator in the body. In recent years, studies have found that it plays an important pathogenic role in various diseases such as sepsis. However, it is unclear whether the genetic variation of the HMGB1 gene is related to the susceptibility to sepsis. This study investigated the relationship between susceptibility and outcome of the HMGB1 gene rs2249825, rs1045411, and rs1360485 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Chinese Han patients with sepsis.

The HMGB1 gene rs2249825, rs1045411, and rs1360485 genotypes were detected by the direct sequencing method in 345 patients with sepsis and 345 healthy controls. Serum HMGB1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The HMGB1 gene rs2249825 and rs1045411 site SNPs were associated with sepsis risk, but the rs1360485 site SNP was not associated with sepsis risk. Subjects with the HMGB1 gene rs2249825 and rs1045411 site mutations had higher serum HMGB1 levels, and patients with mutant genotype sepsis had higher APACHE II scores and lower 30-day survival rates. There were no correlations among the rs1360485 site SNP, sepsis risk, and patient 30-day survival.

The HMGB1 gene rs2249825 and rs1045411 site SNPs are associated with susceptibility and outcomes of Chinese Han patients with sepsis. The rs2249825 locus C allele and the rs1045411 locus A allele are high risk factors for sepsis and severity in the Chinese Han population, and are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with sepsis.