title: Emerging role of HMGB1 in fibrotic diseases.
abstract: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is originally identified as a DNA-binding protein that functions as a structural co-factor critical for proper transcriptional regulation in somatic cells. Recent studies indicate that HMGB1 can be passively released from necrotic cells or actively secreted into the extracellular milieu under appropriate signal stimulation. Extracellular HMGB1 is a multifunctional cytokine that contributes to the process of infection, injury, inflammation, apoptosis, and immune responses by binding to specific cell-surface receptors. Recently, emerging studies indicate that HMGB1 is closely involved in fibrotic disorders including cystic fibrosis, liver fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis, while HMGB1 signal inhibitions protect against the experimental models of fibrotic diseases. From a clinical perspective, HMGB1 represents a current challenge that can be exploited orchestrate reparative responses. This review focuses on the crucial role of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases and inhibition of which may represent a promising clinical approach for treating tissue fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Anhui Key Laboratory of Bioactivity of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Third-Grade Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM-2009-202), Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Liu-Cheng
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D024243:HMGB1 Protein
keywords: cystic fibrosis; high-mobility group box 1; liver fibrosis; myocardial fibrosis; pulmonary fibrosis; renal fibrosis