High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) in the childhood: latest findings and future prospects

HMGB1 is a non-histone nuclear protein that has a dual function. Inside the cell, HMGB1 binds DNA, regulating transcription and determining chromosomal architecture. Outside the cell, HMGB1 can serve as an alarmin to activate the innate system and mediate a wide range of physiological and pathological responses. HMGB1 exerts these actions through the differential engagement of multiple surface receptors, including Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4 and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The recent discovery of HMGB1 as a critical mediator of inflammation has stimulated an increasing interest in the field of inflammation research. These important new findings have also suggested new therapies for viral/bacterial infection or for other inflammatory diseases.