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High mobility group box 1 and angiogenetic growth factor levels in children with central nerve system infections
Shinichiro Morichi1, Gaku Yamanaka1, Yusuke Watanabe1
1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tokyo Medical University.
Insights
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and angiogenesis factors are elevated in pediatric central nervous system (CNS) infections like encephalopathy and meningitis. These molecules play key roles in the pathology of these serious childhood neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroinflammation
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a key danger-associated molecular pattern.
- Angiogenesis-related growth factors are crucial in physiological and pathological processes.
- Understanding their role in pediatric neurological disorders is essential for clarifying disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of HMGB1 and angiogenesis-related growth factors in children with acute encephalopathy and other neurological disorders.
- To compare levels of these molecules in patients with central nervous system (CNS) infections versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Studied 12 children with acute encephalopathy, 7 with bacterial meningitis, and 6 with West syndrome (epilepsy).
- Included 24 control patients with non-CNS infections.
- Measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of HMGB1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher serum and CSF HMGB1 levels were observed in encephalopathy and meningitis groups compared to West syndrome and control groups.
- CSF HMGB1 levels showed positive correlations with interleukin-6 and -8.
- CSF HMGB1 levels correlated with VEGF, and PDGF also showed a positive relationship.
Conclusions:
- HMGB1 and angiogenesis-related growth factors are implicated in the pathophysiology of CNS infections in children.
- These molecules may serve as important biomarkers or therapeutic targets in pediatric neurological infections.
Introduction:
To clarify the pathology of children with acute encephalopathy and other neurological disorders, the involvement of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), which is a representative of danger-associated molecular patterns, and angiogenesis-related growth factors were investigated.
Patients And Methods:
Participants were 12 children with acute encephalopathy (influenza, rotavirus, and others), 7 with bacterial meningitis, and 6 with epilepsy disease (West syndrome). Twenty-four patients with non-central nervous system (CNS) infections as a control group were admitted to our hospital. We examined the levels of HMGB1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and other cytokines in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the subjects.
Results:
Serum and CSF HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in the encephalopathy and meningitis groups than in the West syndrome and control groups. CSF HMGB1 levels correlated with those of interleukin-6 and -8. CSF HMGB1 and VEGF levels were correlated, and PDGF showed a positive relationship.
Conclusion:
HMGB1 and angiogenesis-related growth factors appear to play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of CNS infections.
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