Inflammation-promoting activity of HMGB1 on human microvascular endothelial cells

• Published in: Blood 2003-04, Vol.101 (7), p.2652-2660
• Main Authors: Fiuza, Carmen, Bustin, Michael, Talwar, Shefali, Tropea, Margaret, Gerstenberger, Eric, Shelhamer, James H., Suffredini, Anthony F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood Coagulation Factors - metabolism; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Line; Chemokines - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HMGB1 Protein - pharmacology; HMGB1 Protein - physiology; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - etiology; Inflammation - metabolism; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Microcirculation - cytology; Molecular and cellular biology; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Receptors, Immunologic - metabolism; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Sepsis; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-05-1300

Systemic inflammation because of sepsis results in endothelial cell activation and microvascular injury. High-mobility group protein-1 (HMGB1), a novel inflammatory molecule, is a late mediator of endotoxin shock and is present in the blood of septic patients. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is expressed on endothelium and is a receptor for HMGB1. Here we examine the effects of HMGB1 on human endothelial cell function. Recombinant human HMGB1 (rhHMGB1) was cloned and expressed inEscherichia coliand incubated with human microvascular endothelium. rhHMGB1 caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and RAGE. rhHMGB1 induced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (P< .01). rhHMGB1 stimulation resulted in transient phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38, and in nuclear translocation of transcription factors NF-κB and Sp1. These effects are partially mediated by TNFα autocrine stimulation, as anti-TNFα antibodies significantly decrease chemokine and adhesion molecule responses (P≤ .002). Thus, rhHMGB1 elicits proinflammatory responses on endothelial cells and may contribute to alterations in endothelial cell function in human inflammation.