Elevated serum levels of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and its association with disease activity and quality of life

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the serum levels of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate its correlation with disease activity and quality of life. According to our knowledge, it is the first trial evaluating HMGB1 levels in AS. Serum samples of 30 patients (18 males and 12 females) with AS and 29 healthy controls (HC) (15 females and 14 males) were collected. HMGB1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, activity of disease was assessed according to the Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), and functional status of patients was evaluated with Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI). Modified Schober, chest expansion values and AS Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) scores were noted. The serum levels of HMGB1 were obtained significantly increased in AS patients compared to HC (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between HMGB1 levels and ESR (p > 0.05), and CRP (p > 0.05) values. BASDAI, BASFI and ASQoL scores were also not correlated with serum levels of HMGB1 (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that HMGB1 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of AS; however, it seems not to be a good candidate for reflecting disease activity, functional abilities and the quality of life in patients with AS; on the other hand, the increased levels of HMGB1 in patients may open a new dimension for targeting this cytokine as a new therapy option in AS.

Involvement of high mobility group box‐1 in imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like mice model

“…Recent evidence reveals that HMGB1 could be translocated to the cytoplasm and secreted to the extracellular space during cellular necrosis or when exposed to inflammatory mediators, for instance, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and lipopolysaccharide . It has been recognized that extracellular HMGB1 may act as a pro‐inflammatory cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, for example, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis …”

The Role of HMGB1 in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases

“…Melinda Magna 1 and David S Pisetsky of characteristic tissue pathology (for example, arthritis) or functional disturbance (for example, muscle weakness in myositis) by HMGB1 in in vitro or in vivo models; and (d) effectiveness of agents directed at HMGB1 in animal models (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Table 1 lists diseases in which studies implicate a role of HMGB1 in pathogenesis.…”

Recent Developments in the Role of High-Mobility Group Box 1 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Recently, however, HMGB1 was described not to be a useful biomarker in AAV, because HMGB1 levels were not associated with an increased risk for relapse in AAV (57). In ankylosing spondylitis patients, HMGB1 levels were reported slightly elevated compared with healthy controls as well (69). Importantly, when comparing amounts of HMGB1 in serum in these different rheumatic diseases, levels are moderately increased compared with healthy controls (Table 1).…”