title: Targeting HMGB1 in the treatment of sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis refers to the host's deleterious and non-resolving systemic inflammatory response to microbial infections and represents the leading cause of death in the intensive care unit. The pathogenesis of sepsis is complex, but partly mediated by a newly identified alarmin molecule, the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we review the evidence that support extracellular HMGB1 as a late mediator of experimental sepsis with a wider therapeutic window and discuss the therapeutic potential of HMGB1-neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors (herbal components) in experimental sepsis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It will be important to evaluate the efficacy of HMGB1-targeting strategies for the clinical management of human sepsis in the future.
authors.affiliation: The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and North Shore University Hospital, The Hofstra North Shore - LIJ School of Medicine, Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, North Shore-LIJ Health System , 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030 , USA +1 516 562 2823 ; +1 516 562 1022 ; hwang@nshs.edu.
authors.forename: Haichao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000906:Antibodies; D024243:HMGB1 Protein