Exogenous HMGB1 induces expression of proinflammatory genes.

<p>HEC slices were treated with HMGB1 (500 ng/ml) for 96 hrs. and then harvested for detection of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression. Shown are mean ± SEM of cytokines TNFα and IL-β mRNA levels from a representative experiment. Treatment of HEC slices with exogenous HMGB1 induced significant increase in cytokine gene expression. Proinflammatory activity of HMGB1 is abolished by blockade of TLR4 with antagonists Lps-Rs and naltrexone or by knocking down TLR4 with specific siRNA (*p<0.01 compared with Control; #p<0.05 compared with HMGB1 group, n = 3).