High Mobility Group Protein B1 (HMGB1) (AP)

HMGB1 is one of the signature danger signals of endogenous cellular injury, and is released outside the cell by necrotic and inflammatory cells to act as a chemoattractant for immature dendritic cells (DCs), promoting their maturation. DCs can also secrete HMGB1, promoting proliferation and Th1 polarization of interacting T cells. Cellular injury resulting in necrosis, leads to passive HMGB1 release, and microbes or pro-inflammatory cytokines may later stimulate active release from APCs. HMGB1 is emerging as a prime specific marker and regulator of necrotic cell death, possibly through the PI3KC3-MEK-ERK...