title: HMGB1 as a therapeutic target in spinal cord injury: A hypothesis for novel therapy development.
abstract: Historically, clinical outcomes following spinal cord injury (SCI) have been dismal. Severe SCI leads to devastating neurological deficits, and there is no treatment available that restores the injury-induced loss of function to a degree that an independent life can be guaranteed. To address all the issues associated with SCI, a multidisciplinary approach is required, as it is unlikely that a single approach, such as surgical intervention, pharmacotherapy or cellular transplantation, will suffice. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an inflammatory cytokine. Various studies have shown that HMGB1 plays a critical role in SCI and that inhibition of HMGB1 release may be a novel therapeutic target for SCI and may support spinal cord repair. In addition, HMGB1 has been associated with graft rejection in the early phase. Therefore, HMGB1 may be a promising therapeutic target for SCI transplant patients. We hypothesize that inhibition of HMGB1 release rescues patients with SCI. Taken together, our findings suggest that anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibodies or short hairpin RNA-mediated HMGB1 could be administered for spinal cord repair in SCI patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Yame Public General Hospital, Yame 834-0034;
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Hisaaki
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authors.lastname: Uchikado
authors.forename: Naoki
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authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Yoko
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authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Takashi
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authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Salunya
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authors.lastname: Tancharoen
authors.forename: Kei
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authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Rokudai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Chiemi
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authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Narumi
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authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Naoto
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authors.lastname: Shiomi
authors.forename: Terukazu
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authors.lastname: Kuramoto
authors.forename: Naohisa
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authors.lastname: Miyagi
authors.forename: Ko-Ichi
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kawahara