HMGB1 and LPS induce distinct patterns of gene expression and activation in neutrophils from patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Intensive Care Med. 2007;33:1829-1839. [PMID: 17581740 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-]

Changes in expression of high mobility group protein B1 in acute liver failure in rats

AIM: To observe the changes in the expression of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and other inflammatory cytokines in acute liver failure (ALF) in rats.

METHODS: D-galactosamine (D-Gal) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to establish a model of ALF by intraperitoneal injection. Rats were treated with normal saline alone in a control group. Serum and liver tissues were collected at different time points (3, 6, 12, 48, 72 and 96 h). Serum biochemical indicators were detected, and HMGB1 expression in liver tissue was observed by immunohistochemical analysis. HE staining was performed to evaluate the severity of liver damage. The changes of HMGB1, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and the levels of HMGB1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured using ELISA kits. rHMGB1 was injected via the tail vein alone or combined with D-Gal and LPS by intraperitoneal injection, and the changes of symptoms and signs and survival rates of rats were observed.

RESULTS: ALF was successfully induced in rats using D-Gal and LPS. In ALF rats, the peak of HMGB1 gene expression and serum levels of HMGB1 were later but lasted longer than IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1 was observed as early as 3 h after D-Gal and LPS administration. In 24-48 h, normal liver tissue structures disappeared, and HMGB1 was overflowed from necrotic liver cells and showed diffused yellow staining, full of the entire field of vision. Administration of exogenous rHMGB1 reduced the time to death and increased mortality rates .

CONCLUSION: HMGB1 may be passively leaked by necrosis hepatic cells, which appeared later compared with other inflammatory cytokines. The interaction of HMGB1 and other inflammatory cytokines can promote the inflammation progression in ALF.