title: Increased Serum HMGB-1, ICAM-1 and Metalloproteinase-9 Levels in Buerger's Patients.
abstract: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), or Buerger's disease, is an inflammatory occlusive disorder that affects the limb arteries of young smokers. In the aetiology of TAO the immune system appears to play a critical role; however, information on the aspects involved in the evolution of vascular tissue inflammation and of this disease are still limited.
  
  
  
  This study was carried out to investigate HMGB-1 (high mobility group box-1), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)- 2, MMP-9, MMP-11 and ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule)-1 circulating levels in subjects with Buerger's disease.
  
  
  
  Between January 2010 and December 2012, eight patients underwent surgical revascularization of the lower limbs and a specimen of the affected arterial wall was obtained for histological confirmation of Buerger's disease. A blood sample was collected on the same day for measuring HMGB-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and ICAM-1 by western blot analysis. Controls (n=7) were healthy non-smokers.
  
  
  
  TAO subjects had a significant increase in HMGB-1, MMP-9 and ICAM-1 compared with controls (P<.0001), while no differences were observed in MMP-2 and MMP-11 levels. Histology confirmed a strong inflammatory infiltrate with signs of necrosis in the arterial wall.
  
  
  
  These data suggest a role for HMGB -1 in the vascular lesions associated with TAO, unveiling HMGB-1 as a potential target for treating this rare disease.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Caridi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, Torre Biologica 5th floor, c/o AOU "G. Martino", Via C. Valeria, 98125, Messina, ITALY. abitto@unime.it.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitto
authors.forename: Mafalda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massara
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pallio
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzino
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Altavilla
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Squadrito
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024243:HMGB1 Protein; C585491:HMGB1 protein, human; C573420:ICAM1 protein, human; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9